Special Provisions in Appendix. See sections 2 and 4 of Act 22 of 2001 in the appendix to this title for special provisions
relating to applicability to authorities incorporated under former laws and continuation
of Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.

Cross References. Chapter 56 is referred to in sections 1103, 13B53 of Title 4 (Amusements); section
1105.1 of Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns); sections 10102, 12434 of Title
11 (Cities); sections 2102, 3402, 3902 of Title 12 (Commerce and Trade); section 206
of Title 26 (Eminent Domain); section 1504 of Title 64 (Public Authorities and Quasi-Public
Corporations); sections 3201, 3208 of Title 66 (Public Utilities).

53c5601s

§ 5601. Short title of chapter.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the Municipality Authorities Act.

53c5602s

§ 5602. Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings
given to them in this section unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Administrative service." In the case of authorities created for the purpose of making business improvements
or providing administrative services, the term means those services which improve
the ability of the commercial establishments of a district to serve the consumers,
such as free or reduced-fee parking for customers, transportation repayments, public
relations programs, group advertising and district maintenance and security services.

"Authority." A body politic and corporate created under this chapter; under the former act of June
28, 1935 (P.L.463, No.191), known as the Municipality Authorities Act of one thousand
nine hundred and thirty-five; or under the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known
as the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945.

"Board." The governing body of an authority.

"Bonds." Notes, bonds and other evidence of indebtedness or obligations which each authority
is authorized to issue pursuant to section 5608 (relating to bonds).

"Business improvement." In the case of authorities created for the purpose of making business improvements
or providing administrative services, the term means those improvements designated
by an authority to be needed by a district in general or by specific areas or individual
properties within or near the district, including, but not limited to, sidewalks,
retaining walls, street paving, street lighting, parking lots, parking garages, trees
and shrubbery, pedestrian walks, sewers, water lines, rest areas and acquisition and
remodeling or demolition of blighted buildings or structures. Improvements shall not
be made to property not acquired by purchase or lease other than those improvements
made within a right-of-way.

"Construction." Acquisition and construction. The term "to construct" shall mean and include to acquire
and to construct, all in such manner as may be deemed desirable.

"Eligible educational institution." An independent institution of higher education located in and chartered by the Commonwealth
or a private secondary school located in this Commonwealth and approved by the Department
of Education which is not a State-owned institution, which is operated not for profit,
which is determined by the authority not to be a theological seminary or school of
theology or a sectarian and denominational institution and which is approved as eligible
by the authority pursuant to regulations approved by it.

"Federal agency." The United States of America, the President of the United States of America and any
department of or corporation, agency or instrumentality created, designated or established
by the United States of America.

"Financing," "to finance" or "financed." The lending or providing of funds to or on behalf of a person for payment of the costs
of a project or for refinancing such costs, repayment of loans previously incurred
to pay the cost of a project or otherwise.

"Health center." A facility which:

(1) is operated by a nonprofit corporation and:

(i) provides health care services to the public;

(ii) provides health care-related services or assistance to one or more organizations in
aid of the provision of health care services to the public, including, without limitation,
such facilities as blood banks, laboratories, research and testing facilities, medical
and administrative office buildings and ancillary facilities;

(iii) constitutes an integrated facility which provides substantial health care services
on a nonsectarian basis and other reasonably related services, including, without
limitation, life care or continuing care communities and nursing, personal care or
assisted living facilities for the elderly, handicapped or disabled; or

(2) if required by law to be licensed to provide such services by the Department of Health,
the Department of Public Welfare or the Insurance Department, is so licensed or, in
the case of a facility to be constructed, renovated or expanded, is designed to comply
with applicable standards for such licensure.

"Improvement." Extension, enlargement and improvement. The term "to improve" shall mean and include
to extend, to enlarge and to improve all in such manner as may be deemed desirable.

"Local government unit." This term shall have the same meaning as provided under section 8002 (relating to
definitions).

"Municipal authority." The body or board authorized by law to enact ordinances or adopt resolutions for the
particular municipality.

"Municipality." A county, city, town, borough, township or school district of the Commonwealth.

"Project." Equipment leased by an authority to the municipality or municipalities that organized
it or to any municipality or school district located wholly or partially within the
boundaries of the municipality or municipalities that organized it, or any structure,
facility or undertaking which an authority is authorized to acquire, construct, finance,
improve, maintain or operate, or provide financing for insurance reserves under the
provisions of this chapter, or any working capital which an authority is authorized
to finance under the provisions of this chapter.

"Provide financing for insurance reserves." Financing, on behalf of one or more local government units or authorities, all or
any portion of a reserve or a contribution toward a combined reserve, pool or other
arrangement relating to self-insurance which has been established by one or more local
government units pursuant to 42 Pa.C.S. § 8564 (relating to liability insurance and
self-insurance) up to, but not exceeding, the amount provided in section 8007 (relating
to cost of project).

"Working capital." Shall include, but not be limited to, funds for supplies, materials, services, salaries,
pensions and any other proper operating expenses, provided that the term shall be
limited solely to hospitals and health centers, and private, nonprofit, nonsectarian
colleges and universities, State-related universities and community colleges, which
are determined by the authority to be eligible educational institutions. Nothing in
this chapter shall prohibit the borrowing of working capital as may be necessary or
incidental to the undertaking or placing in operation of any project undertaken in
whole or in part pursuant to this chapter.

53c5602v

(Dec. 17, 2001, P.L.926, No.110, eff. imd.)

2001 Amendment. Act 110 amended the defs. of "authority" and "provide financing for insurance reserves,"
retroactive to June 19, 2001.

References in Text. The act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act
of 1945, referred to in the def. of "authority," was repealed by the act of June 19,
2001 (P.L.287, No.22).

The Department of Public Welfare, referred to in this section, was redesignated as
the Department of Human Services by Act 132 of 2014.

Cross References. Section 5602 is referred to in section 1201.3 of Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated
Towns).

53c5603s

§ 5603. Method of incorporation.

(a) Resolution of intent.--Whenever the municipal authorities of any municipality singly or of two or more municipalities
jointly desire to organize an authority under this chapter, they shall adopt a resolution
or ordinance signifying their intention to do so. No such resolution or ordinance
shall be adopted until after a public hearing has been held, the notice of which shall
be given at least 30 days before the hearing and in the same manner as provided in
subsection (b) for the giving of notice of the adoption of the resolution or ordinance.

(b) General notice of adopted resolution.--If the resolution or ordinance is adopted, the municipal authorities of such municipality
or municipalities shall cause a notice of such resolution or ordinance to be published
at least one time in the legal periodical of the county or counties in which the authority
is to be organized and at least one time in a newspaper published and in general circulation
in such county or counties. The notice shall contain a brief statement of the substance
of the resolution or ordinance, including the substance of the articles making reference
to this chapter. In the case of authorities created for the purpose of making business
improvements or providing administrative services, if appropriate, the notice shall
specifically provide that the municipality or municipalities have retained the right
which exists under this chapter to approve any plan of the authority. The notice shall
state that on a day certain, not less than three days after publication of the notice,
articles of incorporation of the proposed authority shall be filed with the Secretary
of the Commonwealth. No municipality shall be required to make any other publication
of the resolution or ordinance under the provisions of existing law.

(c) Filing articles of incorporation.--On or before the day specified in the notice required under subsection (b), the municipal
authorities shall file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth articles of incorporation
together with proof of publication of the notice required under subsection (b). The
articles of incorporation shall set forth:

(1) The name of the authority.

(2) A statement that the authority is formed under this chapter.

(3) A statement whether any other authority has been organized under this chapter or under
the former act of June 28, 1935 (P.L.463, No.191), entitled "An act providing for
the incorporation, as bodies corporate and politic, of "Authorities" for municipalities,
counties, and townships; defining the same; prescribing the rights, powers, and duties
of such Authorities; authorizing such Authorities to acquire, construct, improve,
maintain, and operate projects, and to borrow money and issue bonds therefor; providing
for the payment of such bonds, and prescribing the rights of the holders thereof;
conferring the right of eminent domain on such Authorities; authorizing such Authorities
to enter into contracts with and to accept grants from the Federal Government or any
agency thereof; and for other purposes," or the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164),
known as the Municipality Authorities Act of 1945, and is in existence in or for the
incorporating municipality or municipalities. If any one or more of the municipalities
have already joined with other municipalities not composing the same group in organizing
a joint authority, the application shall set forth the name of that authority together
with the names of the municipalities joining in it.

(4) The name of the incorporating municipality or municipalities together with the names
and addresses of its municipal authorities.

(5) The names, addresses and term of office of the first members of the board of the authority.

(6) In the case of authorities created for the purpose of making business improvements
or providing administrative services, if appropriate, a statement that the municipality
or municipalities have retained the right which exists under this chapter to approve
any plan of the authority.

(7) Any other matter which shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of this
chapter.

(d) Execution of articles.--The articles of incorporation shall be executed by each incorporating municipality
by its proper officers and under its municipal seal.

(e) Certification of incorporation.--If the Secretary of the Commonwealth finds that the articles of incorporation conform
to law, he shall, but not prior to the day specified in the notice published in accordance
with subsection (b), endorse his approval of them and, when all proper fees and charges
have been paid, shall file the articles and issue a certificate of incorporation to
which shall be attached a copy of the approved articles. Upon the issuance of a certificate
of incorporation by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the corporate existence of
the authority shall begin. The certificate of incorporation shall be conclusive evidence
of the fact that the authority has been incorporated, but proceedings may be instituted
by the Commonwealth to dissolve an authority which was formed without substantial
compliance with the provisions of this section.

(f) Certification of officers.--When an authority has been organized and its officers elected, its secretary shall
certify to the Secretary of the Commonwealth the names and addresses of its officers
as well as the principal office of the authority. Any change in the location of the
principal office shall likewise be certified to the Secretary of the Commonwealth
within ten days after such change. An authority created under the laws of the Commonwealth
and existing at the time this chapder is enacted, in addition to powers granted or
conferred upon the authority, shall possess all the powers provided under this chapter.

References in Text. The act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act
of 1945, referred to in subsec. (c)(3), was repealed by the act of June 19, 2001 (P.L.287,
No.22).

Cross References. Section 5603 is referred to in sections 5605, 5612 of this title.

53c5604s

§ 5604. Municipalities withdrawing from and joining in joint authorities.

(a) Power to withdraw.--When an authority has been incorporated by two or more municipalities, any one or
more of such municipalities may withdraw from it, but no municipality shall be permitted
to withdraw from an authority after an obligation has been incurred by that authority.

(b) Power to join.--When an authority has been incorporated by one or more municipalities, a municipality
not having joined in the original incorporation may subsequently join in the authority.

(c) Procedure.--Any municipality wishing to withdraw from or to become a member of an existing authority
shall signify its desire by resolution or ordinance. If the authority shall by resolution
express its consent to such withdrawal or joining, the municipal authorities of the
withdrawing or joining municipality shall cause a notice of its resolution or ordinance
to be published at least one time in the legal periodical of the county or counties
in which the authority is organized and at least one time in a newspaper published
and in general circulation in such county or counties. This notice shall contain a
brief statement of the substance of the resolution or ordinance, making reference
to this chapter, and shall state that on a day certain, not less than three days after
publication of the notice, an application to withdraw from or to become a member of
the authority, as the case may be, will be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

(d) Filing an application to withdraw or join.--On or before the day specified in the notice, the municipal authorities shall file
an application with the Secretary of the Commonwealth together with proof of publication
of the notice required under subsection (c). In the case of a municipality seeking
to become a member of the authority, the application shall set forth all of the information
required in the case of original incorporation insofar as it applies to the incoming
municipality, including the name and address and term of office of the first member
or members of the board of the authority from the incoming municipality and, if there
is to be a reapportionment of representation or revision of the terms of office of
the members of the board, the names, addresses and terms of office of all the members
of the board as so reapportioned or revised. The application in all cases shall be
executed by the proper officers of the withdrawing or incoming municipality under
its municipal seal and shall be joined in by the proper officers of the governing
body of the authority and, in the case of a municipality seeking to become a member
of the authority, also by the proper officers of each of the municipalities that are
then members of the authority pursuant to resolutions by the municipal authorities
of the participating municipalities.

(e) Certification of withdrawal or joinder.--If the Secretary of the Commonwealth finds that the application conforms to law, he
shall, but not prior to the day specified in the notice, endorse his approval of it
and, when all proper fees and charges have been paid, shall file the same and issue
a certificate of withdrawal or a certificate of joinder, as the case may be, to which
shall be attached a copy of the approved application. The withdrawal or joining shall
become effective upon the issuing of the certificate.

53c5604v

Cross References. Section 5604 is referred to in section 5610 of this title.

53c5605s

§ 5605. Amendment of articles.

(a) Purpose.--An authority may amend its articles for the following reasons:

(1) To adopt a new name.

(2) To modify or add a provision to increase its term of existence to a date not exceeding
50 years from the date of approval of the articles of amendment.

(3) To change, add to or diminish its powers or purposes or to set forth different or
additional powers or purposes.

(4) To increase or decrease the number of members of the board of the authority, to reapportion
the representation on the board of the authority and to revise the terms of office
of members, all in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 5610 (relating
to governing body).

(b) Procedure.--Every amendment to the articles shall first be proposed by the board by the adoption
of a resolution setting forth the proposed amendment and directing that it be submitted
to the governing authorities of the municipality or municipalities composing the authority.
The resolution shall contain the language of the proposed amendment to the articles
by providing that the articles shall be amended so as to read as set forth in full
in the resolution, that any provision of the articles be amended so as to read as
set forth in full in the resolution or that the matter stated in the resolution be
added to or stricken from the articles. After the amendments have been submitted to
the municipality or municipalities, such municipality or municipalities shall adopt
or reject such amendment by resolution or ordinance.

(c) Execution and verification.--After an amendment has been adopted by the municipality or municipalities, articles
of amendment shall be executed under the seal of the authority and verified by two
duly authorized officers of the corporation and shall set forth:

(1) The name and location of the registered office of the authority.

(2) The act under which the authority was formed and the date when the original articles
were approved and filed.

(3) The resolution or ordinance of the municipality or municipalities adopting the amendment.

(4) The amendment adopted by the municipality or municipalities which shall be set forth
in full.

(d) Advertisement.--The authority shall advertise its intention to file articles of amendment with the
Secretary of the Commonwealth as provided under section 5603 (relating to method of
incorporation) for forming an authority. Advertisements shall appear at least three
days prior to the day upon which the articles of amendment are presented to the Secretary
of the Commonwealth and shall set forth briefly:

(1) The name and location of the registered office of the authority.

(2) A statement that the articles of amendment are to be filed under the provisions of
this chapter.

(3) The nature and character of the proposed amendment.

(4) The time when the articles of amendment will be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

(e) Filing the amendment.--The articles of amendment and proof of the required advertisement shall be delivered
by the authority or its representative to the Secretary of the Commonwealth. If the
Secretary of the Commonwealth finds that the articles conform to law, he shall forthwith,
but not prior to the day specified in the advertisement required in subsection (d),
endorse his approval of it and, when all fees and charges have been paid, shall file
the articles and issue to the authority or its representative a certificate of amendment
to which shall be attached a copy of the approved articles.

53c5605v

Cross References. Section 5605 is referred to in section 5607 of this title.

53c5606s

§ 5606. School district projects.

(a) Merger and consolidation authorized.--Any two or more existing authorities, all the projects of all of which are leased
to the same school district, may be merged into one authority, hereinafter designated
as the surviving authority, or consolidated into a new authority.

(b) Articles of merger or consolidation.--Articles of merger or articles of consolidation, as the case may be, shall first be
proposed by the board of school directors of the school district leasing the projects.
The governing body of the school district and of any other municipality or municipalities
incorporating one or more of the existing authorities shall each adopt a resolution
which shall contain the language of the proposed merger or consolidation. The articles
of merger or consolidation shall be signed by the proper officers of the respective
school districts and other municipalities, if any, and under their respective municipal
seals and shall set forth the following:

(1) The name of the surviving or new authority.

(2) The location of the registered office of the surviving or new authority.

(3) The names and addresses and term of office of the members of the board of the surviving
or new authority as specified in the plan of merger or consolidation, and the initial
terms of office shall be staggered as provided in this chapter with respect to the
incorporation of an authority.

(4) A statement indicating the date on which each existing authority was formed and the
purpose for which it was formed, taken from the articles of incorporation, the name
of the original incorporating school district or districts or other incorporating
municipality or municipalities and the name of any successor to any thereof.

(5) The time and place of the meetings of the governing bodies of the school district
and other municipalities parties to the plan of merger or consolidation.

(6) A statement of the plan of merger.

(7) Any changes in the articles of incorporation of the surviving authority in the case
of a merger and a statement of the articles of incorporation in full in the case of
the new authority to be formed, in each case in conformity with the provisions of
this chapter relating to the incorporation of authorities, except that any item required
to be stated which is covered elsewhere in the articles of merger or consolidation
need not be repeated.

(c) Publication of resolution.--The reorganized school district and each other municipality party to the plan of merger
or consolidation shall cause a notice of the resolution setting forth the merger or
consolidation to be published at least one time in the legal periodical of the county
or counties in which the surviving authority is to be organized and at least one time
in a newspaper published and in general circulation in such county or counties. The
notice shall contain a brief statement of the substance of the resolution, including
the substance of the articles of merger making reference to this chapter, and shall
state that on a day certain, not less than three days after publication of the notice,
articles of merger or consolidation shall be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The publication shall be sufficient compliance with the laws of this Commonwealth
or any existing laws dealing with publication for municipalities.

(d) Documentation.--The articles of merger or consolidation shall be filed on or before the day specified
in the advertisement with the Secretary of the Commonwealth together with the proof
of publication of the notice required under subsection (c).

(e) Certification of merger or consolidation.--The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall file the articles of merger or consolidation
and the proof of advertisement required in subsection (c) but not prior to the day
specified in the advertisement, certify the date of such filing when all fees and
charges have been paid and issue to the surviving or new authority or its representative
a certificate of merger or consolidation to which shall be attached a copy of the
filed articles of merger or consolidation.

(f) Filing the articles of merger or consolidation.--Upon the filing of the articles of merger or the articles of consolidation by the
Secretary of the Commonwealth, the merger or consolidation shall be effective, and
in the case of a consolidation the new authority shall come into existence, and in
either case the articles of merger and consolidation shall constitute the articles
of incorporation of the surviving or new authority, and the reorganized school district,
lessee of the projects, shall be deemed to be the incorporating municipality of the
authority.

(g) Creation of surviving or new authority.--Upon the merger or consolidation becoming effective, the several existing authorities
to the plan of merger or consolidation shall become a single authority, which in the
case of a merger shall be that authority designated in the articles of merger as the
surviving authority and in the case of a consolidation shall be a new authority as
provided in the articles of consolidation. The separate existence of all existing
authorities named in the articles of merger or consolidation shall cease, except that
of the surviving authority in the case of a merger.

(h) Disposition of property and accounts.--All of the property, real, personal and mixed, and all interests therein of each of
the existing authorities named in the plan of merger or consolidation, all debts due
and whatever amount due to any of them, including their respective right, title and
interest in and to all lease rentals, sinking funds on deposit, all funds deposited
under lease or trust instruments shall be taken and deemed to be transferred to and
vested in the surviving or new authority as the case may be without further act or
deed.

(i) Continuation of contracts.--The surviving authority or the new authority shall be responsible for the liabilities
and obligations of each of the existing authorities so merged or consolidated but
shall be subject to the same limitations, pledges, assignments, liens, charges, terms
and conditions as to revenues and restrictions as to and leases of properties as were
applicable to each existing authority. The liabilities of the merging or consolidating
authorities of the members of their boards or officers shall not be affected nor shall
the rights of creditors thereof or any persons dealing with such authorities or any
liens upon the property of such authorities or any outstanding bonds be impaired by
the merger or consolidation, and any claim existing or action or proceeding pending
by or against any such authorities shall be prosecuted to judgment as if such merger
or consolidation had not taken place, or the surviving authority or the new authority
may be proceeded against or substituted in its place.

(a) Scope of projects permitted.--Every authority incorporated under this chapter shall be a body corporate and politic
and shall be for the purposes of financing working capital; acquiring, holding, constructing,
financing, improving, maintaining and operating, owning or leasing, either in the
capacity of lessor or lessee, projects of the following kind and character and providing
financing for insurance reserves:

(1) Equipment to be leased by an authority to the municipality or municipalities that
organized it or to any municipality or school district located wholly or partially
within the boundaries of the municipality or municipalities that organized it.

(2) Buildings to be devoted wholly or partially for public uses, including public school
buildings, and facilities for the conduct of judicial proceedings and for revenue-producing
purposes.

(6) Sewage treatment works, including works for treating and disposing of industrial waste.

(7) Facilities and equipment for the collection, removal or disposal of ashes, garbage,
rubbish and other refuse materials by incineration, landfill or other methods.

(8) Steam heating plants and distribution systems.

(9) Incinerator plants.

(10) Waterworks, water supply works, water distribution systems.

(11) Facilities to produce steam which is used by the authority or is sold on a contract
basis for industrial or similar use or on a sale-for-resale basis to one or more entities
authorized to sell steam to the public, provided that such facilities have been approved
by resolution or ordinance adopted by the governing body of the municipality or municipalities
organizing such authority and that the approval does not obligate the taxing power
of the municipality in any way.

(12) Facilities for generating surplus electric power which are related to incinerator
plants, dams, water supply works, water distribution systems or sewage treatment plants
pursuant, where applicable, to section 3 of the Federal Power Act (41 Stat. 1063,
16 U.S.C. § 796) and section 210 of the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of
1978 (Public Law 95-617, 16 U.S.C. § 824a-3) or Title IV of the Public Utility Regulatory
Policies Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-617, 16 U.S.C. §§ 2701 to 2708) if:

(i) electric power generated from the facilities is sold or distributed only on a sale-for-resale
basis to one or more entities authorized to sell electric power to the public;

(ii) the facilities have been approved by resolution or ordinance adopted by the governing
body of the municipality or municipalities organizing the authority and the approval
does not obligate the taxing power of the municipality in any way; and

(iii) the incinerator plants, dams, water supply works, water distribution systems or sewage
treatment plants are or will be located within or contiguous with a county in which
at least one of the municipalities organizing the authority is located, except that
this subparagraph shall not apply to incinerator plants, dams, water supply works,
water distribution systems or sewage treatment plants located in any county which
have been or will be constructed by or acquired by the authority to perform functions
the primary purposes of which are other than that of generation of electric power
for which the authority has been organized.

(13) Swimming pools, playgrounds, lakes and low-head dams.

(14) Hospitals and health centers.

(15) Buildings and facilities for private, nonprofit, nonsectarian secondary schools, colleges
and universities, State-related universities and community colleges, which are determined
by the authority to be eligible educational institutions, provided that such buildings
and facilities shall have been approved by resolution or ordinance adopted by the
governing body of the municipality or municipalities organizing the authority and
that the approval does not obligate the taxing power of the governing body in any
way.

(16) Motor buses for public use, when such motor buses are to be used within any municipality,
and subways.

(17) Industrial development projects, including, but not limited to, projects to retain
or develop existing industries and the development of new industries, the development
and administration of business improvements and administrative services related thereto.

(18) Storm water planning, management and implementation as defined in the articles of
incorporation by the governing body. Authorities, existing as of the effective date
of this paragraph, already operating storm water controls as part of a combined sewer
system, sanitary sewer system or flood control project may continue to operate those
projects.

(b) Limitations.--This section is subject to the following limitations:

(1) An authority created by a school district or school districts shall have the power
only to acquire, hold, construct, improve, maintain, operate and lease public school
buildings and other school projects acquired, constructed or improved for public school
purposes.

(2) The purpose and intent of this chapter being to benefit the people of the Commonwealth
by, among other things, increasing their commerce, health, safety and prosperity and
not to unnecessarily burden or interfere with existing business by the establishment
of competitive enterprises, none of the powers granted by this chapter shall be exercised
in the construction, financing, improvement, maintenance, extension or operation of
any project or projects or providing financing for insurance reserves which in whole
or in part shall duplicate or compete with existing enterprises serving substantially
the same purposes. This limitation shall not apply to the exercise of the powers granted
under this section:

(i) for facilities and equipment for the collection, removal or disposal of ashes, garbage,
rubbish and other refuse materials by incineration, landfill or other methods if each
municipality organizing or intending to use the facilities of an authority having
such powers shall declare by resolution or ordinance that it is desirable for the
health and safety of the people of such municipality that it use the facilities of
the authority and state if any contract between such municipality and any other person,
firm or corporation for the collection, removal or disposal of ashes, garbage, rubbish
and other refuse material has by its terms expired or is terminable at the option
of the municipality or will expire within six months from the date such ordinance
becomes effective;

(ii) for industrial development projects if the authority does not develop industrial projects
which will compete with existing industries;

(iii) for authorities created for the purpose of providing business improvements and administrative
services if each municipality organizing an authority for such a project shall declare
by resolution or ordinance that it is desirable for the entire local government unit
to improve the business district;

(iv) to hospital projects or health centers to be leased to or financed with loans to public
hospitals, nonprofit corporation health centers or nonprofit hospital corporations
serving the public or to school building projects and facilities to be leased to or
financed with loans to private, nonprofit, nonsectarian secondary schools, colleges
and universities, State-related universities and community colleges or to facilities,
as limited under the provisions of this section, to produce steam or to generate electric
power if each municipality organizing an authority for such a project shall declare
by resolution or ordinance that it is desirable for the health, safety and welfare
of the people in the area served by such facilities to have such facilities provided
by or financed through an authority;

(v) to provide financing for insurance reserves if each municipality or authority intending
to use any proceeds thereof shall declare by resolution or ordinance that it is desirable
for the health, safety and welfare of the people in such local government unit or
served by such authority; or

(vi) to projects for financing working capital.

(3) It is the intent of this chapter in specifying and defining the authorized purposes
and projects of an authority to permit the authority to benefit the people of this
Commonwealth by, among other things, increasing their commerce, health, safety and
prosperity while not unnecessarily burdening or interfering with any municipality
which has not incorporated or joined that authority. Therefore, notwithstanding any
other provisions of this chapter, an authority shall not have as its purpose and shall
not undertake as a project solely for revenue-producing purposes the acquiring of
buildings, facilities or tracts of land which in the case of an authority incorporated
or joined by a county or counties are located either within or outside the boundaries
of the county or counties and in the case of all other authorities are located outside
the boundaries of the municipality or municipalities that incorporated or joined the
authority unless either:

(i) the governing body of each municipality in which the project will be undertaken has
by resolution evidenced its approval; or

(ii) in cases where the property acquired is not subject to tax abatement, the authority
covenants and agrees with each municipality in which the authority will acquire real
property as part of the project either to make annual payments in lieu of real estate
taxes and special assessments for amounts and time periods specified in the agreement
or to pay annually the amount of real estate taxes and special assessments which would
be payable if the real property so acquired were fully taxable and subject to special
assessments.

(c) Effect of specificity.--The municipality or municipalities organizing such an authority may, in the resolution
or ordinance signifying their intention so to do or from time to time by subsequent
resolution or ordinance, specify the project or projects to be undertaken by the authority,
and no other projects shall be undertaken by the authority than those so specified.
If the municipal authorities organizing an authority fail to specify the project or
projects to be undertaken, then the authority shall be deemed to have all the powers
granted by this chapter.

(d) Powers.--Every authority may exercise all powers necessary or convenient for the carrying out
of the purposes set forth in this section, including, but without limiting the generality
of the foregoing, the following rights and powers:

(1) To have existence for a term of 50 years and for such further period or periods as
may be provided in articles of amendment approved under section 5605(e) (relating
to amendment of articles).

(2) To sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, complain and defend in all courts.

(3) To adopt, use and alter at will a corporate seal.

(4) To acquire, purchase, hold, lease as lessee and use any franchise, property, real,
personal or mixed, tangible or intangible, or any interest therein necessary or desirable
for carrying out the purposes of the authority, and to sell, lease as lessor, transfer
and dispose of any property or interest therein at any time acquired by it.

(5) To acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise and to construct, improve, maintain, repair
and operate projects.

(6) To finance projects by making loans which may be evidenced by and secured as may be
provided in loan agreements, mortgages, security agreements or any other contracts,
instruments or agreements, which contracts, instruments or agreements may contain
such provisions as the authority shall deem necessary or desirable for the security
or protection of the authority or its bondholders.

(7) To make bylaws for the management and regulation of its affairs.

(8) To appoint officers, agents, employees and servants, to prescribe their duties and
to fix their compensation.

(9) To fix, alter, charge and collect rates and other charges in the area served by its
facilities at reasonable and uniform rates to be determined exclusively by it for
the purpose of providing for the payment of the expenses of the authority, the construction,
improvement, repair, maintenance and operation of its facilities and properties and,
in the case of an authority created for the purpose of making business improvements
or providing administrative services, a charge for such services which is to be based
on actual benefits and which may be measured on, among other things, gross sales or
gross or net profits, the payment of the principal of and interest on its obligations
and to fulfill the terms and provisions of any agreements made with the purchasers
or holders of any such obligations, or with a municipality and to determine by itself
exclusively the services and improvements required to provide adequate, safe and reasonable
service, including extensions thereof, in the areas served. If the service area includes
more than one municipality, the revenues from any project shall not be expended directly
or indirectly on any other project unless such expenditures are made for the benefit
of the entire service area. Any person questioning the reasonableness or uniformity
of a rate fixed by an authority or the adequacy, safety and reasonableness of the
authority's services, including extensions thereof, may bring suit against the authority
in the court of common pleas of the county where the project is located or, if the
project is located in more than one county, in the court of common pleas of the county
where the principal office of the project is located. The court of common pleas shall
have exclusive jurisdiction to determine questions involving rates or service. Except
in municipal corporations having a population density of 300 persons or more per square
mile, all owners of real property in eighth class counties may decline in writing
the services of a solid waste authority.

(10) In the case of an authority which has agreed to provide water service through a separate
meter and separate service line to a residential dwelling unit in which the owner
does not reside, to impose and enforce the owner's duty to pay a tenant's bill for
service rendered to the tenant by the authority only if the authority notifies the
owner and the tenant within 30 days after the bill first becomes overdue. Notification
shall be provided by first class mail to the address of the owner provided to the
authority by the owner and to the billing address of the tenant, respectively. Nothing
in this paragraph shall be construed to require an authority to terminate service
to a tenant, and the owner shall not be liable for any service which the authority
provides to the tenant 90 or more days after the tenant's bill first becomes due unless
the authority has been prevented by court order from terminating service to that tenant.

(11) In the case of an authority which has agreed to provide sewer service to a residential
dwelling unit in which the owner does not reside, to impose and enforce the owner's
duty to pay a tenant's bill for service rendered by the authority to the tenant. The
authority shall notify the owner and the tenant within 30 days after the tenant's
bill for that service first becomes overdue. Notification shall be provided by first
class mail to the address of the owner provided to the authority by the owner and
to the billing address of the tenant, respectively. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to relieve the owner of liability for such service unless the authority
fails to provide the notice required in this paragraph.

(12) To borrow money, make and issue negotiable notes, bonds, refunding bonds and other
evidences of indebtedness or obligations, hereinafter called bonds, of the authority.
Bonds shall have a maturity date not longer than 40 years from the date of issue except
that no refunding bonds shall have a maturity date later than the life of the authority;
also, to secure the payment of the bonds or any part thereof by pledge or deed of
trust of all or any of its revenues and receipts; to make agreements with the purchasers
or holders of the bonds or with others in connection with any bonds, whether issued
or to be issued, as the authority shall deem advisable; and in general to provide
for the security for the bonds and the rights of the bondholders. In respect to any
project constructed and operated under agreement with any authority or any public
authority of any adjoining state, to borrow money and issue notes, bonds and other
evidences of indebtedness and obligations jointly with that authority. Notwithstanding
any of the foregoing, no authority shall borrow money on obligations to be paid primarily
out of lease rentals or other current revenues other than charges made to the public
for the use of the capital projects financed if the net debt of the lessee municipality
or municipalities shall exceed any limit provided by any law of the Commonwealth.

(13) To make contracts of every name and nature and to execute all instruments necessary
or convenient for the carrying on of its business.

(14) Without limitation of the foregoing, to borrow money and accept grants from and to
enter into contracts, leases or other transactions with any Federal agency, the Commonwealth
or a municipality, school district, corporation or authority.

(15) To have the power of eminent domain.

(16) To pledge, hypothecate or otherwise encumber all or any of the revenues or receipts
of the authority as security for all or any of the obligations of the authority.

(17) To do all acts and things necessary or convenient for the promotion of its business
and the general welfare of the authority to carry out the powers granted to it by
this chapter or other law, including, but not limited to, the adoption of reasonable
rules and regulations that apply to water and sewer lines located on a property owned
or leased by a customer and to refer for prosecution as a summary offense any violation
dealing with rules and regulations relating to water and sewer lines located on a
property owned or leased by a customer. Under this paragraph, an authority established
by a county of the second class A which is not a home rule county shall have powers
for the inspection and repair of sewer facilities comparable to the powers of health
officials under section 3007 of the act of May 1, 1933 (P.L.103, No.69), known as
The Second Class Township Code.

(18) To contract with any municipality, corporation or a public authority of this and an
adjoining state on terms as the authority shall deem proper for the construction and
operation of any project which is partly in this Commonwealth and partly in the adjoining
state.

(19) To enter into contracts to supply water and other services to and for municipalities
that are not members of the authority or to and for the Commonwealth, municipalities,
school districts, persons or authorities and fix the amount to be paid therefor.

(20) (i) To make contracts of insurance with an insurance company, association or exchange
authorized to transact business in this Commonwealth, insuring its employees and appointed
officers and officials under a policy or policies of insurance covering life, accidental
death and dismemberment and disability income. Statutory requirements for such insurance,
including, but not limited to, requisite number of eligible employees, appointed officers
and officials, as provided for in section 621.2 of the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682,
No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, and sections 1, 2, 6, 7 and 9
of the act of May 11, 1949 (P.L.1210, No.367), known as the Group Life Insurance Policy
Law, shall be met.

(ii) To make contracts with an insurance company, association or exchange or any hospital
plan corporation or professional health service corporation authorized to transact
business in this Commonwealth insuring or covering its employees and their dependents
but not its appointed officers and officials nor their dependents for hospital and
medical benefits and to contract for its employees but not its appointed officers
and officials with an insurance company, association or exchange authorized to transact
business in this Commonwealth granting annuities or to establish, maintain, operate
and administer its own pension plan covering its employees but not its appointed officers
and officials.

(iii) For the purposes set forth under this paragraph, to agree to pay part or all of the
cost of this insurance, including the premiums or charges for carrying these contracts,
and to appropriate out of its treasury any money necessary to pay such costs, premiums
or charges. The proper officers of the authority who are authorized to enter into
such contracts are authorized, enabled and permitted to deduct from the officers'
or employees' pay, salary or compensation that part of the premium or cost which is
payable by the officer or employee and as may be so authorized by the officer or employee
in writing.

(21) To charge the cost of construction of any sewer or water main constructed by the authority
against the properties benefited, improved or accommodated thereby to the extent of
such benefits. These benefits shall be assessed in the manner provided under this
chapter for the exercise of the right of eminent domain.

(22) To charge the cost of construction of a sewer or water main constructed by the authority
against the properties benefited, improved or accommodated by the construction according
to the foot front rule. Charges shall be based upon the foot frontage of the properties
benefited and shall be a lien against such properties. Charges may be assessed and
collected and liens may be enforced in the manner provided by law for the assessment
and collection of charges and the enforcement of liens of the municipality in which
such authority is located. No charge shall be assessed unless prior to the construction
of a sewer or water main the authority submitted the plan of construction and estimated
cost to the municipality in which the project is to be undertaken and the municipality
approved it. The properties benefited, improved or accommodated by the construction
may not be charged an aggregate amount in excess of the approved estimated cost.

(23) To require the posting of financial security to insure the completion in accordance
with the approved plat and with the rules and regulations of the authority of any
water mains or sanitary sewer lines, or both, and related apparatus and facilities
required to be installed by or on behalf of a developer under an approved land development
or subdivision plat as these terms are defined under the act of July 31, 1968 (P.L.805,
No.247), known as the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code. If financial security
is required by the authority and without limitation as to other types of financial
security which the authority may approve, which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld, federally chartered or Commonwealth-chartered lending institution irrevocable
letters of credit and restrictive or escrow accounts in these lending institutions
shall be deemed acceptable financial security. Financial security shall be posted
with a bonding company or federally chartered or Commonwealth-chartered lending institution
chosen by the party posting the financial security if the bonding company or lending
institution is authorized to conduct business within this Commonwealth. The bond or
other security shall provide for and secure to the authority the completion of required
improvements within one year from the date of posting of the security. The amount
of financial security shall be equal to 110% of the cost of the required improvements
for which financial security is to be posted. The cost of required improvements shall
be established by submitting to the authority a bona fide bid from a contractor chosen
by the party posting the financial security. In the absence of a bona fide bid, the
cost shall be established by an estimate prepared by the authority's engineer. If
the party posting the financial security requires more than one year from the date
of posting the financial security to complete the required improvements, the amount
of financial security may be increased by an additional 10% for each one-year period
beyond the first anniversary date from the initial posting date or to 110% of the
cost of completing the required improvements as reestablished on or about the expiration
of the preceding one-year period by using the above bidding procedure. As the work
of installing the required improvements proceeds, the party posting the financial
security may request the authority to release or authorize the release of, from time
to time, portions of the financial security necessary to pay the contractor performing
the work. Release requests shall be in writing addressed to the authority, and the
authority shall have 45 days after receiving a request to ascertain from the authority
engineer, certified in writing, that the portion of the work has been completed in
accordance with the approved plat. Upon receiving written certification, the authority
shall authorize release by the bonding company or lending institution of an amount
estimated by the authority engineer to fairly represent the value of the improvements
completed. If the authority fails to act within the 45-day period, it shall be deemed
to have approved the requested release of funds. The authority may, prior to final
release at the time of completion and certification by its engineer, retain 10% of
the original amount of the posted financial security for the improvements. If the
authority accepts dedication of all or some of the required improvements following
completion, it may require the posting of financial security to secure structural
integrity of the dedicated improvements as well as the functioning of the improvements
in accordance with the design and specifications as depicted on the final plat and
the authority's rules and regulations. This financial security shall expire not later
than 18 months from the date of acceptance of dedication and shall be of the same
type as set forth in this paragraph with regard to that which is required for installation
of the improvements, except that it shall not exceed 15% of the actual cost of installation
of the improvements. Any inconsistent ordinance, resolution or statute is null and
void.

(24) To charge enumerated fees to property owners who desire to or are required to connect
to the authority's sewer or water system. Fees shall be based upon the duly adopted
fee schedule which is in effect at the time of payment and shall be payable at the
time of application for connection or at a time to which the property owner and the
authority agree. In the case of projects to serve existing development, fees shall
be payable at a time to be determined by the authority. An authority may require that
no capacity be guaranteed for a property owner until the tapping fees have been paid
or secured by other financial security. The fees shall be in addition to any charges
assessed against the property in the construction of a sewer or water main by the
authority under paragraphs (21) and (22) as well as any other user charges imposed
by the authority under paragraph (9), except that no reservation of capacity fee or
other similar charge shall be imposed or collected from a property owner who has applied
for service unless the charge is based on debt and fixed operating expenses. A reservation
of capacity fee or other similar charge may not exceed 60% of the average sanitary
sewer bill for a residential customer in the same sewer service area for the same
billing period. Any authority opting to collect a reservation of capacity fee or other
similar charge may not collect the tapping fee until the time as the building permit
fee is due. Tapping fees shall not include costs included in the calculation of any
other fees, assessments, rates or other charges imposed under this act.

(i) The fees may include any of the following if they are separately set forth in a resolution
adopted by the authority:

(A) Connection fee. A connection fee shall not exceed an amount based upon the actual
cost of the connection of the property extending from the authority's main to the
property line or curb stop of the property connected. The authority may also base
the connection fee upon an average cost for previously installed connections of similar
type and size. Such average cost may be trended to current cost using published cost
indexes. In lieu of payment of the fee, an authority may require the construction
of those facilities by the property owner who requested the connection.

(B) Customer facilities fee. A customer facilities fee shall not exceed an amount based
upon the actual cost of facilities serving the connected property from the property
line or curb stop to the proposed dwelling or building to be served. The fee shall
be chargeable only if the authority installs the customer facilities. In lieu of payment
of the customer facilities fee, an authority may require the construction of those
facilities by the property owner who requests customer facilities. In the case of
water service, the fee may include the cost of a water meter and installation if the
authority provides or installs the water meter. If the property connected or to be
connected with the sewer system of the authority is not equipped with a water meter,
the authority may install a meter at its own cost and expense. If the property is
supplied with water from the facilities of a public water supply agency, the authority
shall not install a meter without the consent and approval of the public water supply
agency.

(C) Tapping fee. A tapping fee shall not exceed an amount based upon some or all of the
following parts which shall be separately set forth in the resolution adopted by the
authority to establish these fees. In lieu of payment of this fee, an authority may
require the construction and dedication of only such capacity, distribution-collection
or special purpose facilities necessary to supply service to the property owner or
owners.

(I) Capacity part. The capacity part shall not exceed an amount that is based upon the
cost of capacity-related facilities, including, but not limited to, source of supply,
treatment, pumping, transmission, trunk, interceptor and outfall mains, storage, sludge
treatment or disposal, interconnection or other general system facilities. Except
as specifically provided in this paragraph, such facilities may include only those
that provide existing service. The cost of capacity-related facilities, excluding
facilities contributed to the authority by any person, government or agency, or portions
of facilities paid for with contributions or grants other than tapping fees, shall
be based upon their historical cost trended to current cost using published cost indexes
or upon the historical cost plus interest and other financing fees paid on debt financing
such facilities. To the extent that historical cost is not ascertainable, tapping
fees may be based upon an engineer's reasonable written estimate of current replacement
cost. Such written estimate shall be based upon and include an itemized listing of
those components of the actual facilities for which historical cost is not ascertainable.
Outstanding debt related to the facilities shall be subtracted from the cost except
when calculating the initial tapping fee imposed for connection to facilities exclusively
serving new customers. The outstanding debt shall be subtracted for all subsequent
revisions of the initial tapping fee where the historical cost has been updated to
reflect current cost except as specifically provided in this section. For tapping
fees or components related to facilities initially serving exclusively new customers,
an authority may, no more frequently than annually and without updating the historical
cost of or subtracting the outstanding debt related to such facilities, increase such
tapping fee by an amount calculated by multiplying the tapping fee by the weighted
average interest rate on the debt related to such facilities applicable for the period
since the fee was initially established or the last increase of the tapping fee for
such facilities. The capacity part of the tapping fee per unit of design capacity
of said facilities required by the new customer shall not exceed the total cost of
the facilities as described herein divided by the system design capacity of all such
facilities. Where the cost of facilities to be constructed or acquired in the future
are included in the calculation of the capacity part as permitted herein, the total
cost of the facilities shall be divided by the system design capacity plus the additional
capacity to be provided by the facilities to be constructed or acquired in the future.
An authority may allocate its capacity-related facilities to different sections or
districts of its system and may impose additional capacity-related tapping fees on
specific groups of existing customers such as commercial and industrial customers
in conjunction with additional capacity requirements of those customers. The cost
of facilities to be constructed or acquired in the future that will increase the system
design capacity may be included in the calculation of the capacity part, subject to
the provisions of clause (VI). The cost of such facilities shall not exceed their
reasonable estimated cost set forth in a duly adopted annual budget or a five-year
capital improvement plan. The authority shall have taken at least two of the following
actions toward construction of the facilities:

(a) obtained financing for the facilities;

(b) entered into a contract obligating the authority to construct or pay for the cost
of construction of the facilities or its portion thereof in the event that multiple
parties are constructing the facilities;

(c) obtained a permit for the facilities;

(d) obtained title to or condemned additional real estate upon which the facilities will
be constructed;

(e) entered into a contract obligating the authority to purchase or acquire facilities
owned by another;

(f) prepared an engineering feasibility study specifically related to the facilities,
which study recommends the construction of the facilities within a five-year period;

(g) entered into a contract for the design or construction of the facilities or adopted
a budget which includes the use of in-house resources for the design or construction
of the facilities.

(II) Distribution or collection part. The distribution or collection part may not exceed
an amount based upon the cost of distribution or collection facilities required to
provide service, such as mains, hydrants and pumping stations. Facilities may only
include those that provide existing service. The cost of distribution or collections
facilities, excluding facilities contributed to the authority by any person, government
or agency, or portions of facilities paid for with contributions or grants other than
tapping fees, shall be based upon historical cost trended to current cost using published
cost indexes or upon the historical cost plus interest and other financing fees paid
on debt financing such facilities. To the extent that historical cost is not ascertainable,
tapping fees may be based upon an engineer's reasonable written estimate of replacement
cost. Such written estimate shall be based upon and include an itemized listing of
those components of the actual facilities for which historical cost is not ascertainable.
Outstanding debt related to the facilities shall be subtracted from the cost except
when calculating the initial tapping fee imposed for connection to facilities exclusively
serving new customers. The outstanding debt shall be subtracted for all subsequent
revisions of the initial tapping fee where the historical cost has been updated to
reflect current cost except as specifically provided in this section. For tapping
fees or components related to facilities initially serving exclusively new customers,
an authority may, no more frequently than annually and without updating the historical
cost of or subtracting the outstanding debt related to such facilities, increase such
tapping fee by an amount calculated by multiplying the tapping fee by the weighted
average interest rate on the debt related to such facilities applicable for the period
since the fee was initially established or the last increase of the tapping fee for
such facilities. The distribution or collection part of the tapping fee per unit of
design capacity of said facilities required by the new customer shall not exceed the
cost of the facilities divided by the design capacity. An authority may allocate its
distribution-related or collection-related facilities to different sections or districts
of its system and may impose additional distribution-related or collection-related
tapping fees on specific groups of existing customers such as commercial and industrial
customers in conjunction with additional capacity requirements of those customers.

(III) Special purpose part. A part for special purpose facilities shall be applicable only
to a particular group of customers or for serving a particular purpose or a specific
area based upon the cost of the facilities, including, but not limited to, booster
pump stations, fire service facilities, water or sewer mains, pumping stations and
industrial wastewater treatment facilities. Such facilities may include only those
that provide existing service. The cost of special purpose facilities, excluding facilities
contributed to the authority by any person, government or agency, or portions of facilities
paid for with contributions or grants other than tapping fees, shall be based upon
historical cost trended to current cost using published cost indexes or upon the historical
cost plus interest and other financing fees paid on debt financing such facilities.
To the extent that historical cost is not ascertainable, tapping fees may be based
upon an engineer's reasonable written estimate of current replacement cost. Such written
estimate shall be based upon and include an itemized listing of those components of
the actual facilities for which historical cost is not ascertainable. Outstanding
debt related to the facilities shall be subtracted from the cost except when calculating
the initial tapping fee imposed for connection to facilities exclusively serving new
customers. The outstanding debt shall be subtracted for all subsequent revisions of
the initial tapping fee where the historical cost has been updated to reflect current
cost except as specifically provided in this section. For tapping fees or components
related to facilities initially serving exclusively new customers, an authority may,
no more frequently than annually and without updating the historical cost of or subtracting
the outstanding debt related to such facilities, increase such tapping fee by an amount
calculated by multiplying the tapping fee by the weighted average interest rate on
the debt related to such facilities applicable for the period since the fee was initially
established or the last increase of the tapping fee for such facilities. The special
purpose part of the tapping fee per unit of design capacity of such special purpose
facilities required by the new customer shall not exceed the cost of the facilities
as described herein divided by the design capacity of the facilities. Where an authority
constructs special purpose facilities at its own expense, the design capacity for
the facilities may be expressed in terms of the number of equivalent dwelling units
to be served by the facilities. In no event shall an authority continue to collect
any tapping fee which includes a special purpose part after special purpose part fees
have been imposed on the total number of design capacity units used in the original
calculation of the special purpose part. An authority may allocate its special purpose
facilities to different sections or districts of its system and may impose additional
special purpose tapping fees on specific groups of existing customers such as commercial
and industrial customers in conjunction with additional capacity requirements of those
customers.

(IV) Reimbursement part. The reimbursement part shall only be applicable to the users of
certain specific facilities when a fee required to be collected from such users will
be reimbursed to the person at whose expense the facilities were constructed as set
forth in a written agreement between the authority and such person at whose expense
such facilities were constructed.

(V) Calculation of tapping fee.

(a) In arriving at the cost to be included in the tapping fee, the same cost shall not
be included in more than one part of the tapping fee.

(b) No tapping fee may be based upon or include the cost of expanding, replacing, updating
or upgrading facilities serving only existing customers in order to meet stricter
efficiency, environmental, regulatory or safety standards or to provide better service
to or meet the needs of existing customers.

(c) The cost used in calculating tapping fees shall not include maintenance and operation
expenses.

(d) As used in this subclause, "maintenance and operation expenses" are those expenditures
made during the useful life of a sewer or water system for labor, materials, utilities,
equipment accessories, appurtenances and other items which are necessary to manage
and maintain the system capacity and performance and to provide the service for which
the system was constructed. Costs or expenses to reduce or eliminate groundwater infiltration
or inflow may not be included in the cost of facilities used to calculate tapping
fees unless these costs or expenses result in an increase in system design capacity.

(e) Except as otherwise provided for the calculation of a special purpose part, the design
capacity required by a new residential customer used in calculating sewer or water
tapping fees shall not exceed an amount established by multiplying 65 gallons per
capita per day for water capacity, 90 gallons per capita per day for sewer capacity
times the average number of persons per household as established by the most recent
census data provided by the United States Census Bureau. If an authority service area
is entirely within a municipal boundary for which there is corresponding census data
specifying the average number of persons per household, issued by the United States
Census Bureau, the average shall be used. If an authority service area is not entirely
within a municipal boundary but is entirely within a county or other geographic area
within Pennsylvania for which the United States Census Bureau has provided the average
number of persons per household, then that average for the county or geographic area
shall be used. If an authority service area is not entirely within a municipal, county
or other geographic area within Pennsylvania for which the United States Census Bureau
has calculated an average number of persons per household, then the Pennsylvania average
number of persons per household shall be used as published by the United States Census
Bureau. Alternatively, the design capacity required for a new residential customer
shall be determined by a study but shall not exceed:

(i) for water capacity, the average residential water consumption per residential customer,
or, for sewage capacity, the average residential water consumption per residential
customer plus ten percent. The average residential water consumption shall be determined
by dividing the total water consumption for all metered residential customers in the
authority's service area over at least a 12-consecutive-month period within the most
recent five years by the average number of customers during the period; or

(ii) for sewer capacity, the average sewage flow per residential customer determined by
a measured sewage flow study. Such study shall be completed in accordance with sound
engineering practices within the most recent five years for the lesser of three or
all residential subdivisions of more than ten lots which have collection systems in
good repair and which connected to the authority's facilities within the most recent
five years. The study shall calculate the average sewage flow per residential customer
in such developments by measuring actual sewage flows over at least 12 consecutive
months at the points where such developments connected to the authority's sewer main.

(iii) All data and other information considered or obtained by an authority in connection
with determining capacity under this subsection shall be made available to the public
upon request.

(iv) If any person required to pay a tapping fee submits to the authority an opinion from
a professional engineer that challenges the validity of the results of the calculation
of design capacity required to serve new residential customers prepared under subparagraph
(i) or (ii), the authority shall within 30 days obtain a written certification from
another professional engineer, who is not an employee of the authority, verifying
that the results and the calculations, methodology and measurement were performed
in accordance with this title and generally accepted engineering practices. If an
authority does not obtain a certification required under this subsection within 30
days of receiving such challenge, the authority may not impose or collect tapping
fees based on any such challenged calculations or study until such engineering certification
is obtained.

(f) An authority may use lower design capacity requirements and impose lower tapping fees
for multifamily residential dwellings than imposed on other types of residential customers.

(VI) Separate accounting for future facility costs. Any portion of tapping fees collected
which, based on facilities to be constructed or acquired in the future in accordance
with this section, shall be separately accounted for and shall be expended only for
that particular facility or a substitute facility accomplishing the same purpose which
is commenced within the same period. Such accounting shall include, but not be limited
to, the total fees collected as a result of including facilities to be constructed
in the future, the source of the fees collected and the amount of fees expended on
specific facilities. The proportionate share of tapping fees based upon facilities
to be constructed or acquired in the future under this section shall be refunded to
the payor of such fees within 90 days of the occurrence of the following:

(a) the authority abandons its plan or a part thereof to construct or acquire a facility
or facilities which are the basis for such fee; or

(b) the facilities have not been placed into service within seven years, or, for an authority
which provides service to five or more municipalities, the facilities have not been
placed into service within 20 years, after adoption of a resolution which imposes
tapping fees which are based upon facilities to be constructed or acquired in the
future. Any refund of fees held for 20 years shall include interest for the period
the money was held.

(VII) Definitions. As used in this clause, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings given to them in this subclause:

"BOD5." The five-day biochemical-oxygen demand.

"Design capacity." For residential customers, the permitted or rated capacity of facilities expressed
in million gallons per day. For nonresidential customers, design capacity may also
be expressed in pounds of BOD5 per day, pounds of suspended solids per day or any
other capacity-defining parameter that is separately and specifically set forth in
the permit governing the operation of the system and based upon its original design
as modified by those regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over these facilities.
Additionally, for separate fire service customers, the permitted or rated capacity
of fire service facilities may be expressed in peak flows. The units of measurement
used to express design capacity shall be the same units of measurement used to express
the system design capacity. Except as otherwise provided for special purpose facilities,
design capacity may not be expressed in terms of equivalent dwelling units.

"Outstanding debt." The principal amount outstanding of any bonds, notes, loans or other form of indebtedness
used to finance or refinance facilities included in the tapping fee.

"Service line." A water or sewer line that directly connects a single building or structure to a distribution
or collection facility.

"System design capacity." The design capacity of the system for which the tapping fee is being calculated which
represents the total design capacity of the treatment facility or water sources.

(ii) Every authority charging a tapping, customer facilities or connection fee shall do
so only pursuant to a resolution adopted at a public meeting of the authority. The
authority shall have available for public inspection a detailed itemization of all
calculations, clearly showing the maximum fees allowable for each part of the tapping
fee and the manner in which the fees were determined, which shall be made a part of
any resolution imposing such fees. A tapping, customer facilities or connection fee
may be revised and imposed upon those who subsequently connect to the system, subject
to the provisions and limitations of the act.

(iii) No authority shall have the power to impose a connection fee, customer facilities
fee, tapping fee or similar fee except as provided specifically under this section.

(iv) A municipality or municipal authority with available excess sewage capacity, wishing
to sell a portion of that capacity to another municipality or municipal authority,
may not charge a higher cost for the capacity portion of the tapping fee as the selling
entity charges to its customers for the capacity portion of the tapping fee. In turn,
the municipality or municipal authority buying this excess capacity may not charge
a higher cost for the capacity portion of the tapping fee to its residential customers
than that charged to them by the selling entity.

(v) As used in this paragraph, the term "residential customer" shall also include those
developing property for residential dwellings that require multiple tapping fee permits.
This paragraph shall not be applicable to intermunicipal or interauthority agreements
relative to the purchase of excess capacity by an authority or municipality in effect
prior to February 20, 2001.

(25) To construct tunnels, bridges, viaducts, underpasses or other structures and relocate
the facilities of public service companies to effect or permit the abolition of a
grade crossing or grade crossings subject to approval of and in accordance with a
duly issued order of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. A commission order
shall provide that costs payable by a public utility, political subdivision, the Commonwealth
or others shall be payable to the authority. Before proceedings are instituted before
the commission, the authority and the public utilities or the political subdivisions
shall enter an agreement to provide for the conveyance to the authority of title to
the land, structure or improvement involved as security for bonds issued to finance
the improvement and the leasing of the improvement to the utility or utilities or
the political subdivision or subdivisions involved on such terms as will provide for
interest and sinking fund charges on the bonds issued for the improvement.

(26) To appoint police officers who shall have the same rights as other peace officers
in this Commonwealth with respect to the property of the authority.

(27) (i) In the case of an authority created to provide business improvements and administrative
services, to impose an assessment on each benefited property within a business improvement
district. This assessment shall be based upon the estimated cost of the improvements
and services in the district stated in the planning or feasibility study and shall
be determined by one of the following methods:

(A) The authority may determine an assessment determined by multiplying the total improvement
and service cost by the ratio of the assessed value for real estate tax purposes of
the benefited property to the total assessed value of all benefited properties in
the district.

(B) The authority may determine assessments upon the several properties in the district
in proportion to benefits as ascertained by viewers appointed in accordance with municipal
law.

(C) If the district served by the authority contains single-family residential properties,
including those that are part of a planned unit development, residential cooperative
properties or condominium properties formed under 68 Pa.C.S. Pt. II Subpt. B (relating
to condominiums) and other properties, the authority may elect to calculate assessments
based on all of the following:

(I) The business improvement district assessed value of each benefited single-family or
residential cooperative property shall be one-half of the assessed value of the property
for real estate tax purposes.

(II) In the case of a condominium, the unit owners' association formed under 68 Pa.C.S.
Pt. II Subpt. B shall be assessed. Individual units may not be assessed. The business
improvement district assessed value of the unit owners' association shall be the sum
of the assessed value for real estate tax purposes of any real estate owned by the
association and such assessed value of all units, including their undivided interests
in the common elements and any limited common elements, except that the value of any
single-family residential unit shall be one-half of such assessed value of the unit
for real estate tax purposes. The authority shall provide to the unit owners' association
the calculation of the business improvement district assessed value of the unit owners'
association, itemizing the assessed value of each unit as provided in this clause.
The unit owners' association shall add to the condominium fee charged to a unit owner
the amount of the district assessment attributable to the unit which amount shall
be separately itemized on any assessment, invoice, bill or other document presented
to the unit owner for payment of the condominium fee.

(III) The district assessment shall be calculated on each benefited single-family residential
property, benefited residential cooperative property and benefited unit owners' association
by multiplying in each case the total improvement and services cost by the ratio of
the district assessed value of the benefited single-family residential property, benefited
residential cooperative property or benefited unit owners' association to the sum
of the district assessed value of all benefited single-family residential properties,
the district assessed value of all residential cooperative properties, the district
assessed value of all benefited unit owners' associations and the assessed value of
all remaining benefited properties in the business improvement district.

(IV) The remaining benefited properties shall be assessed by multiplying in each case the
total improvement and services cost by the ratio of the assessed value of the remaining
benefited property to the sum of the district assessed value of all benefited single-family
residential properties, the district assessed value of all residential cooperative
properties, the district assessed value of all benefited unit owners' associations
and the assessed value of all remaining benefited properties in the business improvement
district.

(V) An election by an authority under this clause shall not be revoked except through
the procedures stated in subparagraph (ii) and subsection (g).

(ii) An assessment or charge may not be made unless:

(A) An authority submits a plan for business improvements and administrative services,
together with estimated costs and the proposed method of assessments for business
improvements and charges for administrative services, to the municipality in which
the project is to be undertaken.

(B) The municipality approves the plan, the estimated costs and the proposed method of
assessment and charges.

(iii) An authority may not assess charges against the improved properties in an aggregate
amount in excess of the estimated cost.

(iv) An authority may by resolution authorize payment of an assessment or charge in equal,
annual or more frequent installments over a fixed period of time and bearing interest
of 6% or less. If bonds, notes or guarantees are used to raise revenue to provide
for the cost of improvements or services, the installments shall not be payable beyond
the term for which the bonds, notes or guarantees are payable.

(v) Claims to secure the payment of assessments shall be entered in the prothonotary's
office of the county at the same time and in the same form and shall be collected
in the same manner as municipal claims are filed and collected notwithstanding the
provisions of this section as to installment payments.

(vi) In case of default of 60 days or more after an installment is due, the entire assessment
and interest shall be due.

(vii) An owner of property against whom an assessment has been made may pay the assessment
in full at any time along with accrued interest and costs. Upon proof of payment the
lien shall be discharged.

(viii) For purposes of determining assessments in accordance with subparagraph (i)(A) and
(C), the assessed value of a benefited property shall be without reduction for any
value attributable to improvements for which an exemption or abatement has been granted
under law.

(ix) Any claim entered to secure the payment of an assessment against a unit owners' association
shall be enforceable as a judgment for money against the unit owners' association
within the meaning of and under the provisions of 68 Pa.C.S. § 3319 (relating to other
liens affecting the condominium), provided that if an assessment against a unit owners'
association is paid in part and the unit owners' association specifies in writing
to the authority the units with respect to which full payment was made, the claim
shall not be enforceable against units with respect to which full payment was made
or against the unit owners' association. An authority shall discharge a lien against
a unit owners' association to the extent that it constitutes a lien on a particular
unit upon proof of payment, either to the unit owners' association or to the authority,
by the owner of the particular unit of his itemized share of the assessment on the
unit owners' association.

(x) An authority that has made an election under subparagraph (i)(C) may further elect
to calculate, for the assessment years included in a plan and budget, the assessments
on single-family residential properties, including those that are part of a planned
unit development, residential cooperative properties and residential condominium properties,
at the lower of the amount determined under subparagraph (i)(C) or that aggregate
value of assessments that will not exceed 5% of the authority's total annual assessments,
subject to the following:

(A) Any aggregate reduction in assessments on residential properties shall increase the
assessments on the remaining properties in proportion to the assessments of the remaining
properties calculated under subparagraph (i)(C)(IV).

(B) Any further election shall be made for all assessment years included in a plan and
budget, except that, for a current plan and budget, the further election shall be
made for the years remaining in the plan and budget. Once made, the further election
shall remain in effect for all such assessment years included in the plan and budget.

(C) An authority making the further election shall hold a hearing on the proposed method
of calculation. Written notice of the hearing shall be given to all owners of properties
assessed by the district at least 30 days prior to the hearing. The notice shall state
the proposed method of calculation.

(D) The authority shall take no action on the proposed method of calculation if objection
is made in writing by owners of properties representing one-third of the amount of
all assessments in the district. In the case of a condominium formed under 68 Pa.C.S.
Pt. II Subpt. B, the condominium association and all condominium units shall be treated
as one property, valued in the manner described in subparagraph (i)(C)(II). Any objection
must be made within 30 days of the hearing in writing signed by the property owner
and filed in the registered office of the authority.

(E) No further hearing shall be required, no amendment of the authority's plan and budget
shall be required and no action on the part of the municipality shall be required.

(28) To adopt rules and regulations to provide for the safety of persons using facilities
of an airport authority pertaining to vehicular traffic control. Police officers appointed
under paragraph (26) shall enforce them.

(29) To provide financing for insurance reserves by making loans evidenced and secured
by loan agreements, security agreements or other instruments or agreements. These
instruments or agreements may contain provisions the authority deems necessary or
desirable for the security or protection of the authority or its bondholders.

(30) Where a sewer or water system of an authority is to be extended at the expense of
the owner of properties or where the authority otherwise would construct customer
facilities referred to in paragraph (24), other than water meter installation, a property
owner shall have the right to construct the extension or install the customer facilities
himself or through a subcontractor approved by the authority, which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld. The authority shall have the right, at its option, to
perform the construction itself only if the authority provides the extension or customer
facilities at a lower cost and within the same timetable specified or proposed by
the property owner or his approved subcontractor. Construction by the property owner
shall be in accordance with an agreement for the extension of the authority's system
and plans and specifications approved by the authority and shall be undertaken only
pursuant to the existing regulations, requirements, rules and standards of the authority
applicable to such construction. Construction shall be subject to inspection by an
inspector authorized to approve similar construction and employed by the authority
during construction. When a main is to be extended at the expense of the owner of
properties, the property owner may be required to deposit with the authority, in advance
of construction, the authority's estimated reasonable and necessary cost of reviewing
plans, construction inspections, administrative, legal and engineering services. The
authority may require that construction shall not commence until the property owner
has posted appropriate financial security in accordance with paragraph (23). The authority
may require the property owner to reimburse it for reasonable and necessary expenses
it incurred as a result of the extension. If an independent firm is employed for engineering
review of the plans and the inspection of improvements, reimbursement for its services
shall be reasonable and in accordance with the ordinary and customary fees charged
by the independent firm for work performed for similar services in the community.
The fees shall not exceed the rate or cost charged by the independent firm to the
authority when fees are not reimbursed or otherwise imposed on applicants. Upon completion
of construction, the property owner shall dedicate and the authority shall accept
the extension of the authority's system if dedication of facilities and the installation
complies with the plans, specifications, regulations of the authority and the agreement.
An authority may provide in its regulations those facilities which, having been constructed
at the expense of the owner of properties, the authority will require to be dedicated
and which facility or facilities the authority will accept as a part of its system.

(i) In the event the property owner disputes the amount of any billing in connection with
the review of plans, construction inspections, administrative, legal and engineering
services, the property owner shall, within 60 days of the date of billing, notify
the authority that the billing is disputed as excessive, unreasonable or unnecessary,
in which case the authority shall not delay or disapprove any application or any approval
or permit related to the extension or facilities due to the property owner's dispute
over the disputed billings unless the property owner has failed to make payment in
accordance with the decision rendered under clause (iii) within 60 days after the
mailing date of such decision.

(ii) If, within 60 days from the date of billing, the authority and the property owner
cannot agree on the amount of billings which are reasonable and necessary, the property
owner shall have the right to request the appointment of another professional consultant
to serve as arbitrator. The property owner and the authority whose fees are being
challenged shall, by mutual agreement, appoint a professional of the same profession
or discipline licensed in Pennsylvania to review the billings and make a determination
as to the amount of billings which is reasonable and necessary.

(iii) The professional appointed as arbitrator under clause (ii) shall hear evidence and
review the documentation as the professional in his or her sole opinion deems necessary
and shall render a decision within 50 days of the date of appointment. Based upon
the decision of the arbitrator, the property owner or authority shall be required
to pay any amounts necessary to implement the decision within 60 days. In the event
the property owner has paid the authority or retained professional consultant an amount
in excess of the amount determined to be reasonable and necessary, the authority or
retained professional consultant shall within 60 days reimburse the excess payment.

(iv) In the event that the authority and property owner cannot agree upon the professional
to be appointed within 20 days of the request for appointment of an arbitrator, the
president judge of the court of common pleas of the judicial district in which the
municipality is located, or if at the time there is no president judge, the senior
active judge then sitting upon application of either party shall appoint a professional,
who shall be neither the authority engineer nor any professional who has been retained
by or performed services for the authority or the property owner within the preceding
five years.

(v) The fee of the arbitrator shall be paid by the property owner if the disputed fee
is upheld by the arbitrator. The fee of the arbitrator shall be paid by the authority
if the disputed fee is $2,500 or greater than the payment decided by the arbitrator.
The fee of the arbitrator shall be paid in an equal amount by the property owner and
the authority if the disputed fee is less than $2,500 of the payment decided by the
arbitrator.

(vi) In the event that the disputed fees have been paid and the arbitrator finds that the
disputed fees are unreasonable or excessive by more than $10,000, the arbitrator shall:

(A) award the amount of the fees found to be unreasonable or excessive to the party that
paid the disputed fee; and

(B) impose a surcharge of 4% of the amount found as unreasonable or excessive to be paid
to the party that paid the disputed fee.

(vii) An authority or property owner shall have 100 days after paying a fee to dispute any
fee charged as being unreasonable or excessive.

(31) Where a property owner constructs or causes to be constructed at his expense any extension
of a sewer or water system of an authority, the authority shall provide for the reimbursement
to the property owner when the owner of another property not in the development for
which the extension was constructed connects a service line directly to the extension
within ten years of the date of the dedication of the extension to the authority in
accordance with the following provisions:

(i) Reimbursement shall be equal to the distribution or collection part of each tapping
fee collected as a result of subsequent connections. An authority may deduct from
each reimbursement payment an amount equal to 5% of it for administrative expenses
and services rendered in calculating, collecting, monitoring and disbursing the reimbursement
payments to the property owner.

(ii) Reimbursement shall be limited to those lines which have not previously been paid
for by the authority.

(iii) The authority shall, in preparing necessary reimbursement agreements with a property
owner for whose benefit reimbursement will be provided, attach as an exhibit an itemized
listing of all sewer and water facilities for which reimbursement shall be provided.

(iv) The total reimbursement which a property owner may receive may not exceed the cost
of labor and material, engineering design charges, the cost of performance and maintenance
bonds, authority review and inspection charges as well as flushing and televising
charges and any and all charges involved in the acceptance and dedication of such
facilities by the authority, less the amount which would be chargeable to the property
owner based upon the authority's collection and distribution tapping fees which would
be applicable to all lands of the property owner directly or indirectly served through
extensions if the property owner did not fund the extension.

(v) An authority shall notify by certified mail, to the last known address, the property
owner for whose benefit a reimbursement shall apply. This shall be done within 30
days of the authority's receipt of the reimbursement payment. If a property owner
does not claim a reimbursement payment within 120 days after the mailing of the notice,
the payment shall become the sole property of the authority with no further obligation
on the part of the authority to refund the payment to the property owner.

(32) (Deleted by amendment).

(33) Provisions of paragraphs (30) and (31) shall apply to residential customers in a municipality
where the sewer service is being purchased by the municipality or sewer authority
from another municipality or sewer authority having excess sewage capacity.

(34) In the case of an authority that performs storm water planning, management and implementation,
reasonable and uniform rates may be based in whole or in part on property characteristics,
which may include installation and maintenance of best management practices approved
and inspected by the authority.

(e) Prohibition.--

(1) An authority may not pledge the credit or taxing power of the Commonwealth or its
political subdivision.

(2) The obligations of an authority are not obligations of the Commonwealth or its political
subdivision.

(3) Neither the Commonwealth nor a political subdivision shall be liable for the payment
of principal of or interest on obligations of an authority.

(f) Authorization to control airports.--Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent an authority which owns or operates
an airport as a project from leasing airport land on a short-term or long-term basis
for commercial, industrial or residential purposes when the land is not immediately
needed for aviation or aeronautical purposes in the judgment of the authority.

(g) Authorization to make business improvements and provide administrative services.--An authority may be established to make business improvements or provide administrative
services in districts designated by a municipality or by municipalities acting jointly
and zoned commercial or used for general commercial purposes or in contiguous areas
if the inclusion of a contiguous area is directly related to the improvements and
services proposed by the authority. The authority shall make planning or feasibility
studies to determine needed improvements or administrative services. The following
shall also apply:

(1) The authority shall be required to hold a public hearing on the proposed improvement
or service, the estimated costs thereof and the proposed method of assessment and
charges. Notice of the hearing shall be advertised at least ten days before it occurs
in a newspaper whose circulation is within the municipality where the authority is
established. At the public hearing any interested party may be heard.

(2) Written notice of the proposed improvement or service, its estimated cost, the proposed
method of assessment and charges and project cost to individual property owners shall
be given to each property owner and commercial lessee in benefited properties in the
district at least 30 days prior to the public hearing.

(3) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (4), the authority shall take no action
on proposed improvement or service if objection is made in writing by:

(i) persons representing the ownership of one-third of the benefited properties in the
district; or

(ii) property owners of the proposed district whose property valuation as assessed for
taxable purposes shall amount to more than one-third of the total property valuation
of the district.

(4) In the case of an authority that has elected to make assessments under subsection
(d)(27)(i)(C), the objections in writing must be made by either:

(i) one-third of the owners of benefited commercial properties; or

(ii) owners of properties representing one-third of the amount of all business improvement
district assessments for the first year of the proposed plan and budget after the
reduction in district assessments under subsection (d)(27)(i)(C).

For purposes of calculating one-third of the benefited commercial properties, the
term benefited commercial properties shall include all nonresidential property, each
condominium association formed under 68 Pa.C.S. Pt. II Subpt. B as one property and
may not include any individual condominium so formed nor any single-family residential
property.

(5) Objection must be made within 45 days after the conclusion of the public hearing.
Objections must be in writing, signed and filed in the office of the governing body
of the municipality in which the district is located and in the registered office
of the authority.

2003 Amendment. Act 57 amended subsec. (d)(17), (24), (30) and (33) and deleted subsec. (d)(32), effective
immediately as to subsec. (d)(17) and 18 months as to the remainder of the section.
See sections 2, 3 and 4 of Act 57 in the appendix to this title for special provisions
relating to applicability to connection, customer facilities, tapping or similar fees,
applicability of mandatory refund provisions and applicability to sewer tapping fees
and original financing.

Cross References. Section 5607 is referred to in section 5613 of this title; sections 2053, 2463 of
Title 8 (Boroughs and Incorporated Towns); section 13201.1 of Title 11 (Cities).

53c5608s

§ 5608. Bonds.

(a) Authorization.--

(1) A bond must be authorized by resolution of the board. The resolution may specify all
of the following:

(i) Series.

(ii) Date of maturity not exceeding 40 years from date of issue.

(iii) Interest.

(iv) Denomination.

(v) Form, either coupon or fully registered without coupons.

(vi) Registration, exchangeability and interchangeability privileges.

(vii) Medium of payment and place of payment.

(viii) Terms of redemption not exceeding 105% of the principal amount of the bond.

(ix) Priorities in the revenues or receipts of the authority.

(2) A bond must be signed by or shall bear the facsimile signature of such officers as
the authority determines. Coupon bonds must have attached interest coupons bearing
the facsimile signature of the treasurer of the authority as prescribed in the authorizing
resolution. A bond may be issued and delivered notwithstanding that one or more of
the signing officers or the treasurer has ceased to be an officer when the bond is
actually delivered. A bond must be authenticated by an authenticating agent, a fiscal
agent or a trustee, if required by the authorizing resolution.

(3) A bond may be sold at public or private sale for a price determined by the authority.

(4) Pending the preparation of a definitive bond, interim receipts or temporary bonds
with or without coupons may be issued to the purchaser and may contain terms and conditions
as the authority determines.

(b) Provisions.--A resolution authorizing a bond may contain provisions which shall be part of the
contract with the bondholder as to the following:

(1) Pledging the full faith and credit of the authority but not of the Commonwealth or
any political subdivision for the bond or restricting the obligation of the authority
on the to all or any of the revenue of the authority from all or any projects or properties.

(2) The construction, financing, improvement, operation, extension, enlargement, maintenance
and repair of the project, the financing for insurance reserves and the duties of
the authority with reference to these matters.

(3) Terms and provisions of the bond.

(4) Limitations on the purposes to which the proceeds of the bond or of a loan or grant
by the United States may be applied.

(5) Rate of tolls and other charges for use of the facilities of or for the services rendered
by the authority.

(6) The setting aside, regulation and disposition of reserves and sinking funds.

(7) Limitations on the issuance of additional bonds.

(8) Terms and provisions of any deed of trust or indenture securing the bond or under
which any deed of trust or indenture may be issued.

(9) Other additional agreements with the holder of the bond.

(c) Deeds of trust.--An authority may enter into any deed of trust, indenture or other agreement with any
bank or trust company or other person in the United States having power to enter into
such an arrangement, including any Federal agency, as security for a bond and may
assign and pledge all or any of the revenues or receipts of the authority under such
deed, indenture or agreement. The deed of trust, indenture or other agreement may
contain provisions as may be customary in such instruments or as the authority may
authorize, including provisions as to the following:

(1) Construction, financing, improvement, operation, maintenance and repair of a project;
financing for insurance reserves; and the duties of the authority with reference to
these matters.

(2) Application of funds and the safeguarding of funds on hand or on deposit.

(3) Rights and remedies of trustee and bondholder, including restrictions upon the individual
right of action of a bondholder.

(4) Terms and provisions of the bond or the resolution authorizing the issuance of the
bond.

(d) Negotiability.--A bond shall have all the qualities of negotiable instruments under 13 Pa.C.S. Div.
3 (relating to negotiable instruments).

Cross References. Section 5608 is referred to in section 5602 of this title.

53c5609s

§ 5609. Bondholders.

(a) Rights and remedies.--The rights and the remedies conferred upon bondholders under this section shall be
in addition to and not in limitation of rights and remedies lawfully granted them
by the resolution for the bond issue or by any deed of trust, indenture or other agreement
under which the bond is issued.

(b) Trustee.--

(1) The holders of 25% of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding bonds may appoint
a trustee to represent the bondholders for purposes of this chapter if any of the
following apply:

(i) The authority defaults in the payment of principal or interest on a bond at maturity
or upon call for redemption, and the default continues for 30 days.

(ii) The authority fails to comply with this chapter.

(iii) The authority defaults in an agreement made with the bondholders.

(2) The trustee must be appointed by instrument:

(i) filed in the office of the recorder of deeds of the county where the authority is
located; and

(ii) proved or acknowledged in the same manner as a deed to be recorded.

(3) A trustee under this subsection and a trustee under any deed of trust, indenture or
other agreement may and, upon written request of the holders of 25% of the aggregate
principal amount of outstanding bonds or such other percentage specified in the deed
of trust, indenture or other agreement, shall in the trustee's name do any of the
following:

(i) By action at law or in equity enforce rights of the bondholders. This subparagraph
includes the right to require the authority to:

(A) collect rates, rentals or other charges adequate to carry out any agreement as to
or pledge of revenues or receipts of the authority;

(B) carry out any other agreements with or for the benefit of bondholders; and

(C) perform its and their duties under this chapter.

(ii) Bring suit upon the bond.

(iii) By action in equity require the authority to account as if it were the trustee of
an express trust for the bondholders.

(iv) Enjoin an action which may be unlawful or in violation of the rights of the bondholders.

(v) By notice in writing to the authority, declare all bonds due and payable and, if all
defaults are made good, with the consent of the bondholders of 25% of the principal
amount of outstanding bonds or such other percentage specified in the deed of trust,
indenture or other agreement, to annul such declaration and its consequences.

(4) A trustee under this subsection or a trustee under any deed of trust, indenture or
other agreement, whether or not all bonds have been declared due and payable, shall
be entitled to the appointment of a receiver.

(5) A receiver under paragraph (4):

(i) may enter and take possession of a facility of the authority or any part of a facility
the revenues or receipts from which are or may be applicable to the payment of the
bonds in default;

(ii) may operate and maintain the facility or part of the facility;

(iii) may collect and receive all rentals and other revenues arising from the facility after
entry and possession in the same manner as the authority or the board might do; and

(iv) shall deposit money collected under subparagraph (iii) in a separate account and apply
the money as the court directs.

(6) Nothing in this chapter authorizes a receiver appointed under paragraph (4) to sell,
assign, mortgage or otherwise dispose of assets of whatever kind and character belonging
to the authority. It is the intention of this chapter to limit the powers of the receiver
to the operation and maintenance of the facilities of the authority as the court directs.
No bondholder or trustee shall have the right in an action at law or in equity to
compel a receiver, nor shall a receiver be authorized or a court empowered to direct
the receiver, to sell, assign, mortgage or otherwise dispose of assets of whatever
kind or character belonging to the authority.

(7) The trustee has all powers necessary or appropriate for the exercise of functions
specifically set forth in this subsection or incident to the general representation
of the bondholders in the enforcement or protection of their rights.

(c) Jurisdiction.--The court of common pleas of the judicial district in which the authority is located
shall have jurisdiction of an action by the trustee on behalf of the bondholders.

(d) Costs and fees.--In an action by the trustee the court costs, attorney fees and expenses of the trustee
and of the receiver and all costs and disbursements alloted by the court shall be
a first charge on revenue and receipts derived from the facilities of the authority,
the revenue or receipts from which are or may be applicable to the payment of the
bonds so in default.

(a) Board.--Except as set forth in subsection (a.1), the powers of each authority shall be exercised
by a board composed as follows:

(1) If the authority is incorporated by one municipality, the board shall consist of a
number of members, not less than five, as enumerated in the articles of incorporation.
The governing body of the municipality shall appoint the members of the board, whose
terms of office shall commence on the effective date of their appointment. One member
shall serve for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years
and one for five years commencing with the first Monday in January next succeeding
the date of incorporation or amendment. If there are more than five members of the
board, their terms shall be staggered in a similar manner for terms of one to five
years from the first Monday in January next succeeding. Thereafter, whenever a vacancy
has occurred by reason of the expiration of the term of any member, the governing
body shall appoint a member of the board for a term of five years from the date of
expiration of the prior term to succeed the member whose term has expired.

(2) If the authority is incorporated by two or more municipalities, the board shall consist
of a number of members at least equal to the number of municipalities incorporating
the authority, but in no event less than five. When one or more additional municipalities
join an existing authority, each of the joining municipalities shall have similar
membership on the board as the municipalities then members of the authority and the
joining municipalities may determine by appropriate resolutions. The members of the
board of a joint authority shall each be appointed by the governing body of the incorporating
or joining municipality he represents, and their terms of office shall commence on
the effective date of their appointment. One member shall serve for one year, one
for two years, one for three years, one for four years and one for five years from
the first Monday in January next succeeding the date of incorporation, amendment or
joinder, and if there are more than five members of the board, their terms shall be
staggered in a similar manner for terms of from one to five years commencing with
the first Monday in January next succeeding. Thereafter, whenever a vacancy has occurred
by reason of the expiration of the term of any member, the governing body of the municipality
which has the power of appointment shall appoint a member of the board for a term
of five years from the date of expiration of the prior term.

(a.1) Water authorities and sewer authorities.--If a water or sewer authority incorporated by one municipality provides water or sewer
services to residents in at least two counties and has water or sewer projects in
more than two counties where the combined population of the served municipalities,
excluding the incorporating municipality, is at least five times the population of
the incorporating municipality, all of the following apply:

(1) Ninety days after the effective date of this subsection, the governing body in existence
on the effective date of this subsection shall be replaced by a governing body comprised
of the following:

(i) Three members appointed by the governing body from each county in which the services
to residents are provided. A member under this subparagraph must reside in a town,
township or borough, which receives services from the authority.

(ii) Three members appointed by the governing body of the incorporating municipality.

(2) A member serving under paragraph (1) shall serve for a term of five years.

(b) Residency.--

(1) Except as provided for in subsection (c), the members of the board, each of whom shall
be a taxpayer in, maintain a business in or be a citizen of the municipality by which
he is appointed or be a taxpayer in, maintain a business in or be a citizen of a municipality
into which one or more of the projects of the authority extends or is to extend or
to which one or more projects has been or is to be leased, shall be appointed, their
terms fixed and staggered and vacancies filled pursuant to the articles of incorporation
or the application of membership under section 5604 (relating to municipalities withdrawing
from and joining in joint authorities). Where two or more municipalities are members
of the authority, they shall be apportioned pursuant to the articles of incorporation
or the application for membership under section 5604. Except for special service districts
located in whole or in part in cities of the first class or as provided in paragraph
(2), a majority of an authority's board members shall be citizens residing in the
incorporating municipality or incorporating municipality or incorporating municipalities
of the authority.

(2) Each member of the board of a business improvement district authority that was established
by a borough pursuant to the act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality
Authorities Act of 1945, on or before the effective date of this paragraph shall be
a taxpayer in, maintain a business in or be a citizen of the borough by which that
member is appointed.

(c) Grade crossings.--If the authority is created for the purpose of eliminating grade crossings, the members
of the board, the majority of whom shall be citizens of the municipality by which
they are appointed or of a municipality into which one or more of the projects of
the authority extends or is to extend or to which one or more of the projects has
been or is to be leased, shall be appointed, their terms fixed and staggered and vacancies
filled pursuant to the articles of incorporation or the application of membership
under section 5604. Where two or more municipalities are members of the authority,
they shall be apportioned pursuant to the articles of incorporation or the application
for membership under section 5604.

(d) Successor.--Members shall hold office until their successors have been appointed and may succeed
themselves and, except members of the boards of authorities organized or created by
a school district, shall receive such salaries as may be determined by the governing
body of the municipality, but no salaries shall be increased or diminished by a governing
body during the term for which the member shall have been appointed. Members of the
board of any authority organized or created by a school district shall receive no
compensation for their services. A member may be removed for cause by the court of
common pleas of the county in which the authority is located after having been provided
with a copy of the charges against him for at least ten days and after having been
provided a full hearing by the court. If a vacancy shall occur by reason of the death,
disqualification, resignation or removal of a member, the municipal authorities shall
appoint a successor to fill his unexpired term. In joint authorities such vacancies
shall be filled by the municipal authorities of the municipality in the representation
of which the vacancy occurs. If any municipality withdraws from a joint authority,
the term of any member appointed from the municipality shall immediately terminate.

(e) Quorum.--A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum of the board for the purpose of
organizing and conducting the business of the authority and for all other purposes,
and all action may be taken by vote of a majority of the members present unless the
bylaws shall require a larger number. The board shall have full authority to manage
the properties and business of the authority and to prescribe, amend and repeal bylaws,
rules and regulations governing the manner in which the business of the authority
may be conducted and the powers granted to it may be exercised and embodied. The board
shall fix and determine the number of officers, agents and employees of the authority
and their respective powers, duties and compensation and may appoint to such office
or offices any member of the board with such powers, duties and compensation as the
board may deem proper. The treasurer of the board of any authority organized or created
by a school district shall give bond in such sums as may be fixed by the bylaws, which
bond shall be subject to the approval of the board and the premiums for which shall
be paid by the authority.

(f) Removal.--Unless excused by the board, a member of a board who fails to attend three consecutive
meetings of the board may be removed by the appointing municipality up to 60 days
after the date of the third meeting of the board which the member failed to attend.

(g) Definitions.--As used in this section, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings given
to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Water or sewer authority." An authority incorporated by a city of the third class, a borough, a town or a township
to provide water or sewer services.

2001 Amendment. Act 110 amended subsecs. (a) and (b), retroactive to June 19, 2001. See section 4
of Act 110 in the appendix to this title for special provisions relating to continuation
of membership on board.

References in Text. The act of May 2, 1945 (P.L.382, No.164), known as the Municipality Authorities Act
of 1945, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), was repealed by the act of June 19, 2001 (P.L.287,
No.22).

Cross References. Section 5610 is referred to in section 5605 of this title.

53c5611s

§ 5611. Investment of authority funds.

(a) Powers.--The board shall have the power to:

(1) Invest authority sinking funds in the manner provided for local government units by
Subpart B of Part VII (relating to indebtedness and borrowing).

(2) Invest moneys in the General Fund and in special funds of the authority other than
the sinking funds as authorized by this section.

(3) Liquidate any such investment in whole or in part by disposing of securities or withdrawing
funds on deposit. Any action taken to make or to liquidate any investment shall be
made by the officers designated by action of the board.

(b) Investment.--The board shall invest authority funds consistent with sound business practice and
the standard of prudence applicable to the State Employees' Retirement System set
forth in 71 Pa.C.S. § 5931(a) (relating to management of fund and accounts).

(c) Program.--The board shall provide for an investment program subject to restrictions contained
in this chapter and in any other applicable statute and any rules and regulations
adopted by the board.

(2) Short-term obligations of the United States Government or its agencies or instrumentalities.

(3) Deposits in savings accounts or time deposits or share accounts of institutions insured
by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance
Corporation or the National Credit Union Share Insurance Fund to the extent that such
accounts are so insured and for any amounts above the insured maximum if the approved
collateral as provided by law shall be pledged by the depository.

(4) Obligations of the United States of America or any of its agencies or instrumentalities
backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of America, the Commonwealth
or any of its agencies or instrumentalities backed by the full faith and credit of
the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth or any of its
agencies or instrumentalities backed by the full faith and credit of the political
subdivision.

(5) Shares of an investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940
(54 Stat. 789, 15 U.S.C. § 80a-1 et seq.) whose shares are registered under the Securities
Act of 1933 (48 Stat. 74, 15 U.S.C. § 77a et seq.) if the only investments of that
company are in the authorized investments for authority funds listed in paragraphs
(1) through (4).

(6) Sovereign debt if the instruments are dollar denominated and backed by the full faith
and credit of the sovereign government and if the investments do not exceed more than
2% of the market value of the authority's assets at the time of investment and if
the maturity of the instruments does not exceed 15 years and if the obligations are
permitted investments of the State Employees' Retirement System and it is established
that the issuer had issued such sovereign debt over a period of at least 30 years
and has not defaulted on the payment either of principal or interest on its obligations.
This paragraph shall only apply to a board in a county of the first class, second
class or second class A or in a city of the first class, second class, second class
A or third class.

(7) Commercial paper rated in the highest rating category, without reference to a subcategory,
by a rating agency. This paragraph shall only apply to an airport authority board
in a county of the second class.

(e) Authority.--In making investments of authority funds, the board shall have authority to:

(1) Permit assets pledged as collateral under subsection (d)(3), to be pooled in accordance
with the act of August 6, 1971 (P.L.281, No.72), entitled "An act standardizing the
procedures for pledges of assets to secure deposits of public funds with banking institutions
pursuant to other laws; establishing a standard rule for the types, amounts and valuations
of assets eligible to be used as collateral for deposits of public funds; permitting
assets to be pledged against deposits on a pooled basis; and authorizing the appointment
of custodians to act as pledgees of assets."

(2) Combine moneys from more than one fund under authority control for the purchase of
a single investment if lack of the funds combined for the purpose shall be accounted
for separately in all respects and if earnings from the investment are separately
and individually computed, recorded and credited to the accounts from which the investment
was purchased.

(3) Join with one or more other political subdivisions and municipal authorities in accordance
with Subchapter A of Chapter 23 (relating to intergovernmental cooperation) in the
purchase of a single investment pursuant to the requirements of paragraph (2).

53c5611v

(Sept. 24, 2014, P.L.2452, No.131, eff. 60 days)

2014 Amendment. Act 131 added subsec. (d)(7).

53c5612s

§ 5612. Money of authority.

(a) Treasurer.--All money of any authority from whatever source derived shall be paid to the treasurer
of the authority.

(a.1) Prohibition.--

(1) Money of the authority may not be used for any grant, loan or other expenditure for
any purpose other than a service or project directly related to the mission or purpose
of the authority as set forth in the articles of incorporation or in the resolution
or ordinance establishing the authority under section 5603 (relating to method of
incorporation).

(2) A ratepayer to an authority shall have a cause of action in the court of common pleas
where the authority is located to seek the return of money expended in violation of
paragraph (1) from the recipient.

(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to the following:

(i) A monetary contribution to a nonprofit community organization or activity that does
not exceed $1,000.

(ii) An in-kind service, including the provision of water or other resources to a nonprofit
community organization or activity, the value of which does not exceed $1,000.

(iii) An agreement for the joint purchase and use of equipment.

(iv) An agreement for the sharing of equipment during emergency situations.

(b) Report.--Every authority whose fiscal year ends December 31 shall file on or before July 1
an annual report of its fiscal affairs covering the preceding calendar year with the
Department of Community and Economic Development and with the municipality creating
the authority on forms prepared and distributed by the Department of Community and
Economic Development. Authorities whose fiscal year does not end on December 31 shall
file the report within 90 days after the end of their fiscal year. Every authority
shall have its books, accounts and records audited annually by a certified public
accountant, and a copy of his audit report shall be filed in the same manner and within
the same time period as the annual report. A concise financial statement shall be
published annually at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality
where the principal office of the authority is located. If the publication is not
made by the authority, the municipality shall publish such statement at the expense
of the authority. If the authority fails to make such an audit, then the controller,
auditor or accountant designated by the municipality is hereby authorized and empowered
from time to time to examine at the expense of the authority the accounts and books
of it, including its receipts, disbursements, contracts, leases, sinking funds, investments
and any other matters relating to its finances, operation and affairs.

(c) Attorney General.--The Attorney General of the Commonwealth shall have the right to examine the books,
accounts and records of any authority.

(a) Authorization.--Any municipality, school district or owner may sell, lease, lend, grant, convey, transfer
or pay over to any authority with or without consideration any project or any part
of it, any interest in real or personal property, any funds available for building
construction or improvement purposes, including the proceeds of bonds previously or
hereafter issued for building construction or improvement purposes, which may be used
by the authority in the construction, improvement, maintenance or operation of any
project. Any municipality or school district may transfer, assign and set over to
any authority any contracts which may have been awarded by the municipality or school
district for the construction of projects not initiated or completed. The territory
being served by any project or the territory within which a project is authorized
to render service at the time of the acquisition of a project by an authority shall
include the area served by the project and the area in which the project is authorized
to serve at the time of acquisition and any other area into which the service may
be extended, subject to the limitations of section 5607(a) (relating to purposes and
powers).

(b) Acquisition.--

(1) An authority may not acquire by any device or means, including a consolidation, merger,
purchase or lease or through the purchase of stock, bonds or other securities, title
to or possession or use of all or a substantial portion of any existing facilities
constituting a project as defined under this chapter if the project is subject to
the jurisdiction of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission without first reporting
to and advising the municipality which created or which are members of the authority
of the agreement to acquire, including all its terms and conditions.

(2) The proposed action of the authority and the proposed agreement to acquire shall be
approved by the governing body of the municipality which created or which are members
of the authority and to which the report is made. Where there are one or two member
municipalities of the authority, such approval shall be by two-thirds vote of all
of the members of the governing body or of each of the governing bodies. If there
are more than two member municipalities of the authority, approval shall be by majority
vote of all the members of each governing body of two-thirds of the member municipalities.

(c) Complete provision.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, this section, without reference to any
other law, shall be deemed complete for the acquisition by agreement of projects as
defined in this chapter located wholly within or partially without the municipality
causing such authority to be incorporated, and no proceedings or other action shall
be required except as provided for in this section.

53c5613v

Cross References. Section 5613 is referred to in section 5614 of this title.

53c5614s

§ 5614. Competition in award of contracts.

(a) Services.--

(1) Except as set forth in paragraph (2), all construction, reconstruction, repair or
work of any nature made by an authority if the entire cost, value or amount, including
labor and materials, exceeds a base amount of $18,500, subject to adjustment under
subsection (c.1), shall be done only under contract to be entered into by the authority
with the lowest responsible bidder upon proper terms after public notice asking for
competitive bids as provided in this section.

(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to construction, reconstruction, repair or work done
by employees of the authority or by labor supplied under agreement with a Federal
or State agency with supplies and materials purchased as provided in this section.

(3) No contract shall be entered into for construction or improvement or repair of a project
or portion thereof unless the contractor gives an undertaking with a sufficient surety
approved by the authority and in an amount fixed by the authority for the faithful
performance of the contract.

(4) The contract must provide among other things that the person or corporation entering
into the contract with the authority will pay for all materials furnished and services
rendered for the performance of the contract and that any person or corporation furnishing
materials or rendering services may maintain an action to recover for them against
the obligor in the undertaking as though such person or corporation was named in the
contract if the action is brought within one year after the time the cause of action
accrued.

(5) Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the power of the authority to
construct, repair or improve a project or portion thereof or any addition, betterment
or extension thereto directed by the officers, agents and employees of the authority
or otherwise than by contract.

(b) Supplies and materials.--All supplies and materials with a base price costing at least $18,500, subject to
adjustment under subsection (c.1), shall be purchased only after advertisement as
provided in this section. The authority shall accept the lowest bid, kind, quality
and material being equal, but the authority shall have the right to reject any or
all bids or select a single item from any bid. The provisions as to bidding shall
not apply to the purchase of patented and manufactured products offered for sale in
a noncompetitive market or solely by a manufacturer's authorized dealer.

(c) Quotations.--Written or telephonic price quotations from at least three qualified and responsible
contractors shall be requested for a contract in excess of the base amount of $10,000,
subject to adjustment under subsection (c.1), but is less than the amount requiring
advertisement and competitive bidding. In lieu of price quotations, a memorandum shall
be kept on file showing that fewer than three qualified contractors exist in the market
area within which it is practicable to obtain quotations. A written record of telephonic
price quotations shall be made and shall contain at least the date of the quotation;
the name of the contractor and the contractor's representative; the construction,
reconstruction, repair, maintenance or work which was the subject of the quotation;
and the price. Written price quotations, written records of telephonic price quotations
and memoranda shall be retained for a period of three years.

(c.1) Adjustments.--Adjustments to the base amounts specified under subsections (a)(1), (b) and (c) shall
be made as follows:

(1) The Department of Labor and Industry shall determine the percentage change in the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: All Items (CPI-U) for the United States
City Average as published by the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor
Statistics, for the 12-month period ending September 30, 2012, and for each successive
12-month period thereafter.

(2) If the department determines that there is no positive percentage change, then no
adjustment to the base amounts shall occur for the relevant time period provided for
in this subsection.

(3) (i) If the department determines that there is a positive percentage change in the first
year that the determination is made under paragraph (1), the positive percentage change
shall be multiplied by each base amount, and the products shall be added to the base
amounts, respectively, and the sums shall be preliminary adjusted amounts.

(ii) The preliminary adjusted amounts shall be rounded to the nearest $100 to determine
the final adjusted base amounts for purposes of subsections (a)(1), (b) and (c).

(4) In each successive year in which there is a positive percentage change in the CPI-U
for the United States City Average, the positive percentage change shall be multiplied
by the most recent preliminary adjusted amounts, and the products shall be added to
the preliminary adjusted amount of the prior year to calculate the preliminary adjusted
amounts for the current year. The sums thereof shall be rounded to the nearest $100
to determine the new final adjusted base amounts for purposes of subsections (a)(1),
(b) and (c).

(5) The determinations and adjustments required under this subsection shall be made in
the period between October 1 and November 15 of the year following the effective date
of this subsection and annually between October 1 and November 15 of each year thereafter.

(6) The final adjusted base amounts and new final adjusted base amounts obtained under
paragraphs (3) and (4) shall become effective January 1 for the calendar year following
the year in which the determination required under paragraph (1) is made.

(7) The department shall publish notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin prior to January
1 of each calendar year of the annual percentage change determined under paragraph
(1) and the unadjusted or final adjusted base amounts determined under paragraphs
(3) and (4) at which competitive bidding is required under subsection (a)(1) and (b)
and written or telephonic price quotations are required under subsection (c), for
the calendar year beginning the first day of January after publication of the notice.
The notice shall include a written and illustrative explanation of the calculations
performed by the department in establishing the unadjusted or final adjusted base
amounts under this subsection for the ensuing calendar year.

(8) The annual increase in the preliminary adjusted base amounts obtained under paragraphs
(3) and (4) shall not exceed 3%.

(d) Notice.--The term "advertisement" or "public notice," wherever used in this section, shall
mean a notice published at least ten days before the award of a contract in a newspaper
of general circulation published in the municipality where the authority has its principal
office or, if no newspaper of general circulation is published therein, in a newspaper
of general circulation in the county where the authority has its principal office.
Notice may be waived if the authority determines that an emergency exists which requires
the authority to purchase the supplies and materials immediately.

(e) Conflict of interest.--No member of the authority or officer or employee of the authority may directly or
indirectly be a party to or be interested in any contract or agreement with the authority
if the contract or agreement establishes liability against or indebtedness of the
authority. Any contract or agreement made in violation of this subsection is void,
and no action may be maintained on the agreement against the authority.

(f) Entry into contracts.--

(1) Subject to subsection (e), an authority may enter into and carry out contracts or
establish or comply with rules and regulations concerning labor and materials and
other related matters in connection with a project or portion thereof as the authority
deems desirable or as may be requested by a Federal agency to assist in the financing
of the project or any part thereof. This paragraph shall not apply to any of the following:

(i) A case in which the authority has taken over by transfer or assignment a contract
authorized to be assigned to it under section 5613 (relating to transfer of existing
facilities to authority).

(ii) A contract in connection with the construction of a project which the authority may
have had transferred to it by any person or private corporation.

(2) This subsection is not intended to limit the powers of an authority.

(g) Compliance.--A contract for the construction, reconstruction, alteration, repair, improvement or
maintenance of public works shall comply with the provisions of the act of March 3,
1978 (P.L.6, No.3), known as the Steel Products Procurement Act.

(h) Evasion.--

(1) An authority may not evade the provisions of this section as to bids or purchasing
materials or contracting for services piecemeal for the purpose of obtaining prices
under the amount required by this section upon transactions which should, in the exercise
of reasonable discretion and prudence, be conducted as one transaction amounting to
more than the amount required by this section.

(2) This subsection is intended to make unlawful the practice of evading advertising requirements
by making a series of purchases or contracts each for less than the advertising requirement
price or by making several simultaneous purchases or contracts each below that price
when in either case the transaction involved should have been made as one transaction
for one price.

(3) An authority member who votes to unlawfully evade the provisions of this section and
who knows that the transaction upon which the member votes is or ought to be a part
of a larger transaction and that it is being divided in order to evade the requirements
as to advertising for bids commits a misdemeanor of the third degree for each contract
entered into as a direct result of that vote.

2011 Amendment. Act 90 amended subsecs. (a)(1), (b), (c) and (h)(1) and added subsec. (c.1). Section
4 of Act 90 provided that Act 90 shall apply to contracts and purchases advertised
on or after January 1 of the year following the effective date of section 4.

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), the authority shall have the power to acquire
by purchase or eminent domain proceedings either the fee or the rights, title, interest
or easement in such lands, water and water rights as the authority deems necessary
for any of the purposes of this chapter. Water and water rights may not be acquired
unless approval is obtained from the Department of Environmental Protection.

(2) The right of eminent domain does not apply to:

(i) Property owned or used by the United States, the Commonwealth or any of its political
subdivisions, or an agency of any of them, or any body politic and corporate organized
as an authority under any law of the Commonwealth or by any agency.

(ii) Property of a public service company.

(iii) Property used for burial purposes.

(iv) Places of public worship.

(b) Exercise.--The right of eminent domain shall be exercised by the authority in the manner provided
by law for the exercise of such right by municipalities of the same class as the municipality
which organized the authority. Eminent domain shall be exercised by a joint authority
in the same manner as is provided by law for the exercise of such right by municipalities
of the same class as the municipality in which the right of eminent domain is to be
exercised. The right of eminent domain herein conferred by this section may be exercised
either within or without the municipality.

(a) Acquisition.--In the event that the authority shall own 90% or more of all the outstanding capital
stock entitled to vote upon liquidation and dissolution and which is not subject by
its terms to be called for redemption of any corporation owning a project and organized
and existing under the laws of this Commonwealth, the authority shall have the power
to acquire the remainder of the stock by eminent domain as a part of a plan for the
liquidation of the corporation.

(b) Exercise.--The right of eminent domain with respect to the remainder of capital stock shall be
exercised by the authority pursuant to this subsection. In the event that the authority
has not agreed with an owner of any of the capital stock as to the value of the stock,
the authority shall file with the court of common pleas of the county in which the
corporation's principal place of business is located its bond for the benefit of the
owner and for any other persons who may be found entitled to receive damages for the
taking of the capital stock, of which the owner shall be obligee, the condition of
which bond shall be that the authority shall pay or cause to be paid to the owner
of the stock or to such other persons as may be found entitled to receive damages
for the taking of the capital stock, an amount as the owner or such other persons
shall be entitled to receive for the taking of the stock, after the amount shall have
been agreed upon by the parties or assessed in the manner provided by subsection (d).
The bond shall be accompanied by proof that notice of the proposed filing was mailed
by registered mail not less than ten days prior to the proposed filing to the owner
of the stock at his address as shown by the records of the corporation. Upon approval
by the court of the bond, the authority shall be vested with all the right, title
and interest in and to the stock, and the owner and all other persons shall cease
to have any rights or interest with regard to the stock other than the right to compensation
for the taking of it under the procedure set forth in subsection (d). The word "owner,"
as used in this subsection, shall mean the person in whose name the stock is registered
on the books of the corporation.

(c) Approval.--In the event that the authority shall have contracted in writing to purchase 90% or
more of any outstanding capital stock, it shall have the right to obtain the approval
of the court to the bond required by the provisions of subsection (b), but the approval
shall not be effective for the purposes of this section unless and until there is
also filed with the prothonotary of the court within ten days after the approval a
sworn statement by the chairman of the board of the authority, duly attested by the
secretary of the authority, that the authority has become the owner of 90% or more
of the capital stock.

(d) Appraisal.--

(1) If the authority and the former owner of the stock fail to agree as to the amount
which the former owner is entitled to receive as compensation for the taking of the
stock within 30 days after the approval of the bond by the court under the provisions
of subsection (b) or the filing of the required statement under the provisions of
subsection (c), either party may apply by petition to the court for the appointment
by the court of three disinterested persons to appraise the fair value of the stock
immediately prior to its acquisition by the authority without regard to any depreciation
or appreciation in consequence of the acquisition.

(2) The appraisers or a majority of them shall file their award, which shall include the
costs of the appraisal, with the court and shall mail a copy to each party with the
date of filing stated thereon. When the award is filed with the court, the prothonotary
shall mark the same "confirmed nisi" and, if no exceptions are filed within ten days,
he shall enter a decree that the award is confirmed absolutely. If exceptions to the
award are filed by either party before the award is confirmed, the court shall hear
the same and shall have the power to confirm, modify, change or otherwise correct
the award or refer the same back to the same or new appraisers with similar power
as to their award.

53c5617s

§ 5617. Use of projects.

The use of the facilities of the authority and the operation of its business shall
be subject to the rules and regulations as adopted by the authority. The authority
shall not be authorized to do anything which will impair the security of the holders
of the obligations of the authority or violate any agreements with them or for their
benefit.

53c5618s

§ 5618. Pledge by Commonwealth.

(a) Power of authorities.--The Commonwealth pledges to and agrees with any person, firm or corporation or Federal
agency subscribing to or acquiring the bonds to be issued by the authority for the
construction, extension, improvement or enlargement of a project or part thereof that
the Commonwealth will not limit or alter the rights vested by this chapter in the
authority until all bonds and the interest on them are fully met and discharged.

(b) Federal matters.--The Commonwealth pledges to and agrees with the United States and all Federal agencies
that, if a Federal agency constructs or contributes funds for the construction, extension,
improvement or enlargement of a project or any portion thereof:

(1) the Commonwealth will not alter or limit the rights and powers of the authority in
any manner which would be inconsistent with the continued maintenance and operation
of the project or the improvement thereof or which would be inconsistent with the
due performance of agreements between the authority and any Federal agency; and

(2) the authority shall continue to have and may exercise all powers granted in this chapter
as long as the powers are necessary or desirable for carrying out the purposes of
this chapter and the purposes of the United States in the construction or improvement
or enlargement of the project or portion thereof.

53c5619s

§ 5619. Termination of authority.

(a) Conveyance of projects.--When an authority has finally paid and discharged all bonds, with interest due, which
have been secured by a pledge of any of the revenues or receipts of a project, the
authority may, subject to agreements concerning the operation or disposition of the
project, convey the project to the municipality creating the authority or, if the
project is a public school project, to the school district to which the project is
leased.

(b) Conveyance of property.--When an authority has finally paid and discharged all bonds issued and outstanding
and the interest due on them and settled all other outstanding claims against it,
the authority may convey all its property to the municipality or municipalities or,
if the property is public school property, then to the school district for which the
property was financed, and terminate its existence.

(c) Certificate.--An authority requesting to terminate its existence must submit a certificate requesting
termination to the municipality which created it. If the certificate is approved by
the municipality by its ordinance or resolution, the certificate shall be filed in
the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth; and the secretary shall note the
termination of existence on the record of incorporation and return the certificate
with approval to the board. The board shall cause the certificate to be recorded in
the office of the recorder of deeds of the county. Upon recording, the property of
the authority shall pass to the municipality or municipalities or, if the property
is public school property, then to the school district for which the property was
financed; and the authority shall cease to exist.

The effectuation of the authorized purposes of authorities created under this chapter
shall be for the benefit of the people of this Commonwealth, for the increase of their
commerce and prosperity and for the improvement of their health and living conditions.
Since authorities will be performing essential governmental functions in effectuating
these purposes, authorities shall not be required to pay taxes or assessments upon
property acquired or used by them for such purposes. Whenever in excess of 10% of
the land area of any political subdivision in a sixth, seventh or eighth class county
has been taken for a waterworks, water supply works or water distribution system having
a source of water within a political subdivision which is not provided with water
service by the authority, in lieu of such taxes or special assessments the authority
may agree to make payments in the county to the taxing authorities of any or all of
the political subdivisions where any land has been taken. The bonds issued by any
authority, their transfer and the income from the bonds, including any profits made
on their sale, shall be free from taxation within the Commonwealth.

53c5621s

§ 5621. Constitutional construction.

The provisions of this chapter shall be severable, and if any of the provisions are
held to be unconstitutional it shall not affect the validity of any of the remaining
provisions of this chapter. It is hereby declared as the legislative intent that this
chapter would have been adopted had such unconstitutional provisions not been included.

53c5622s

§ 5622. Conveyance by authorities to municipalities or school districts of established projects.

(a) Project.--If a project established under this chapter by a board appointed by a municipality
is of a character which the municipality has power to establish, maintain or operate
and the municipality desires to acquire the project, it may by appropriate resolution
or ordinance adopted by the proper authorities signify its desire to do so, and the
authorities shall convey by appropriate instrument the project to the municipality
upon the assumption by the municipality of all the obligations incurred by the authorities
with respect to that project.

(b) Public school project.--A public school project undertaken under this chapter may be acquired by a school
district to which the project was leased if the school district by appropriate resolution
signifies a desire to do so. An authority shall convey the public school project to
the school district by appropriate instrument upon the assumption by the school district
of all the obligations incurred by the authority with respect to that project.

(c) Conveyance.--An authority formed by any county for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving,
maintaining or operating any project for the benefit of any one or more but not all
of the cities, boroughs, towns and townships of the county may, with the approval
of the board of county commissioners of the county, convey the project to the cities,
boroughs, towns or townships of the county for the benefit of which the project was
acquired, constructed, improved, maintained or operated or to any authority organized
by such cities, boroughs, towns or townships for the purpose of taking over such project.
All such conveyances shall be made subject to any and all obligations incurred by
the authority with respect to the project conveyed.

(d) Reserves.--Following transfer of a project pursuant to this section, the municipality, including
an incorporated town or home rule municipality, which has acquired the project shall
retain the reserves received from the authority which have been derived from operations
in a separate fund, and the reserves shall only be used for the purposes of operating,
maintaining, repairing, improving and extending the project. Money received from the
authority which represents the proceeds of financing shall be retained by the municipality
in a separate fund which shall only be used for improving or extending the project
or other capital purposes related to it.

(a) Retroactive revival.--Upon the filing of the required municipal statements of revival with the Secretary
of the Commonwealth and issuance of a certificate of revival, an expired authority
shall become a retroactively revived authority.

(b) Municipal statement of revival.--A municipal statement of revival shall be executed in the name of each municipality
that incorporated or subsequently joined in and had not withdrawn from the expired
authority and shall set forth:

(1) The name of the expired authority and of each municipality that incorporated or subsequently
joined in and had not withdrawn from the expired authority.

(2) The date on which the authority's term of existence expired.

(3) The address, including street and number of the expired authority.

(4) A statement that the municipality desires the revival of the authority as a body politic
and corporate for an additional term not exceeding 50 years.

(5) A statement that the filing of the municipal statement of revival has been authorized
and approved by the municipal authorities of the municipality by resolution.

(c) Expiration interval.--An expired authority may not become a retroactively revived authority if its term
of expiration exceeds five years.

(d) Certificate of revival.--The Secretary of the Commonwealth shall issue a certificate of revival after verifying
that required municipal statements of revival have been filed in proper form.

(e) Definitions.--The following words and phrases when used in this section shall have the meanings
given to them in this subsection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Certificate of revival." A certification issued by the Secretary of the Commonwealth that, as a result of required
municipal statements of revival having been filed in proper form, the expired authority
which is the subject of the municipal statements of revival is certified as having
been retroactively revived for the term specified.

"Expired authority." An authority whose term of existence has expired in accordance with this chapter.

"Municipal statement of revival." A written statement prepared in accordance with subsection (b) and filed with the
Secretary of the Commonwealth by the municipal authorities of each municipality that
incorporated or subsequently joined in and had not withdrawn from an expired authority
indicating that approval has been given for the retroactive revival of the expired
authority by municipal authorities by resolution.

"Retroactively revived authority." An expired authority whose existence has been revived retroactively so that the authority
is restored to its previous legal position in the same manner and to the same extent
as if its term of existence had never expired. Retroactive revival shall have the
effect of validating the business and affairs of the authority during its term of
expiration, including all contracts and other transactions made and effected within
the scope of the articles of the authority by its representatives and any rights,
privileges, liabilities and obligations that the authority would have had if its term
of existence had not expired.

"Term of expiration." The period of time that commences when an authority becomes an expired authority and
that ends when the expired authority is retroactively revived in accordance with this
section.